First Day Of School Marked By Temperature Checks, Social Distance

CUTCHOGUE, NY — "Smiling from their eyes," students at Cutchogue East Elementary School headed back to class Tuesday, as administrators and staff waited outside happily to greet them, social distancing protocols in place for in-person learning.

The Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District's K through 12 hybrid learning plan kicked off Tuesday, just as the Southold Union Free School District and Aquebogue Elementary School reported positive coronavirus test results and were unable to offer in-person learning until after quarantine periods.

But in Cutchogue, school administrators and staff were upbeat, welcoming kids under the new normal protocols: Every student who got off a yellow school bus was given a temperature check before being able to head inside; signs on the school buses reminded kids to wear their masks and social distance to keep everyone safe.

School Superintendent Jill Gierasch and Cutchogue East Elementary School Principal Kathleen Devine welcomed students to the building.

"We're so excited to have kids back in person," Gierasch said. "I think the staff is excited. Everyone has a little bit of the jitters but at the same time, the parents are happy that the kids are heading off. And the kids are smiling, with bright eyes," she said.

In August, the district faced challenges when they were told, with guidance ever-shifting, that that would have to change from all in-person to hybrid learning.

But later in the month, Gierasch sent a letter out to parents sharing positive developments.

"I received the necessary guidance relieving us of the edge of desk to edge of desk requirement," she wrote. "Yes, this is great news! We can open K-8 full in-person."

Also, she said, school administrators and she set to work on alternatives.

"We proactively made some further changes to our plans by purchasing desk barriers — three-sided polycarbonate desk shields — for grades K-6," Gierasch said. "Purchasing these will allow approximately 5 to 6 feet distance between each child’s workspace. We had recently placed a small order for special circumstances, but understood they were on back order. I anticipate these shields will arrive between September 10 to September 14."

Next, on Monday, September 21, K through 8 begins in full, in-person form. And on Monday, September 21, grades 9 through 12 continue in hybrid form.

"There are currently no plans to offer a full remote option," Gierasch said. "Despite the original survey, we had very few families interested. We completed thorough research and unfortunately, the costs would be exorbitant for the limited number of children requesting per grade/class."

Class sizes for primary grades range from 15 to 18 students; for grades 3 to 6, class sizes range from 18 to 23, Gierasch said. Classrooms have been reassigned/reconfigured based on the numbers to accommodate the students and the needs of specific grade levels as well as to adhere to the guidelines for social distancing.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding during this uncertain time," Gierasch said. "The Board of Education, administrators and the entire school community look forward to welcoming your children back in September. Let’s get the year started!"

Kristin Tirelli, who drives a school bus for Sunrise Busses and dropped children off at Cutchogue East Tuesday, reflected on the first day: "It was wonderful to see them! I could see their smiles behind their masks, which was wonderful but made me sad all at the same time," she said. "It made me long for days gone by."

She added: "When I told them I missed them so much they giggled. I got an, 'I missed you too!' from one young lady and a 'Really?' from a couple of them. I chuckled and said, 'Yes, of course I did! I only had seven elementary students and four junior high/ high school students; that’s a fraction of the students I would usually have. Many parents are driving their children. I’m hoping when things settle down, I’ll have more of them. Today was a blue day, tomorrow is a gold day. They’ve been split up to accommodate social distancing in the classrooms."

Over the weekend Tirelli received a message on Facebook from one mom who asked if she was still her first grader's bus driver. "When I told her I was, she told me he was so happy and couldn’t wait to see me," she said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday heightened concerns exist at schools across the board, adding that the state would be carefully tracking the infection rate in each district. "Parents and teachers are anxious," he said. "Parents are nervous because it's their children, they don't want them to get sick."

Some teachers are older, he said, and also concerned.

To ensure districts are following their reopening plans, Cuomo reminded that the state will have an online COVID report card for every school at www.SchoolCOVIDReportCard.health.ny.gov.