Croton Asks Residents: When School's In Session, Stay Off Grounds

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — As Croton-Harmon school officials tweak their safety protocols for keeping students healthy during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they've been holding lots of classes and other activities outside.

Doing so, they've noticed that community members use the grounds too, during the day.

So Superintendent Deborah O’Connell has a request for residents: please stay off.

The school day runs from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. "It is not uncommon for community members to be on school grounds as they are enjoying the Village trails adjacent to our property or simply out for a walk. While we recognize that the Croton community cherishes its time in nature and takes full advantage of the many places to bike and hike in the area, we must ask that citizens avoid entering school property during the school day," she said.

O'Connell said the district has the support of Village Manager Bryan Healy.

The village's Recreation Department has a brochure about Croton's many parks and trails.

Here's her full letter:

Dear Community Members:

It’s been four weeks since our students returned to the schools for full-time, in-person learning. We continue to be incredibly grateful for all that parents, caregivers and the larger community have done - and continue to do - to create an environment that allows us to minimize COVID cases and protect the well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

As you may be aware, one of the mitigation strategies on which we are relying heavily is to get students outdoors as much as possible. On any given day you can see our students on the school grounds to eat lunch, participate in recess, and attend class. Our outdoor classes are very popular. We are so fortunate to have such beautiful spaces to do this. At the same time, the reality is that having many students outdoors creates a security challenge for the district.

It is not uncommon for community members to be on school grounds as they are enjoying the Village trails adjacent to our property or simply out for a walk. While we recognize that the Croton community cherishes its time in nature and takes full advantage of the many places to bike and hike in the area, we must ask that citizens avoid entering school property during the school day, which runs from 7:30 AM - 3:15 PM. I have been in contact with the Croton-on-Hudson Village Manager Bryan Healy. Village Manager Healy shared, “I support the decision of Dr. O’Connell and the school district in the interest of safety for our school-aged children. I invite all Village and school district residents to make use of our Village recreational facilities, including Croton Landing, the RiverWalk and our neighborhood playgrounds during the school day.”

In closing, I want to again express my great appreciation for your understanding on this matter and all that you do to prioritize the safety of our students, faculty and staff.

Yours In Mission Possible,

Dr. Deborah O’Connell

Superintendent