Trumansburg Central School District

COVID-19 UPDATE 9/17/21 The positive adult COVID-19 case from 9/16 resulted in quarantine of (3) three students and (4) four staff members.

September 16, 2021 Dear Community, I am reaching out this evening to inform you of two situations impacting our school campus. I learned after business hours today that we have one confirmed adult case of COVID-19. The individual is assigned to the elementary school and was last on campus Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Our team has been working this evening to provide a contact tracing list to the Department of Health. The Department of Health will directly reach out to those individuals that need to quarantine. I will keep you informed of the exact numbers once I receive that information. Please continue to practice mitigation measures to keep you and our school community safe. Secondly, after business hours today, it was anonymously reported that a suspicious backpack was located/abandoned on our campus. We immediately worked with law enforcement and successfully found and investigated the incident. There is no known threat at this time. Kindly, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools

TCDOH Level of Community Transmission is HIGH therefore, effective September 1st, all outdoor student-athletes and coaches will be required to wear a mask any time they are unable to maintain a social distance of 6 feet or more. Outdoor spectators will also be required to wear a mask if unable to socially distance.

Board of Education Approved Calendar Change: First Day for All Students Pre-K-12 9/13/21 First Day for All Staff 9/8/21

Title Grants Parent Engagement Meeting Discuss our Title Grants: including funding, plans for expenditures, and programs that are implemented When: Monday, September 13, 12:00 noon Questions can be directed to Angie Gemignani at agemignani@tburg.k12.ny.us Virtual Meeting: login meet.google.com/jcf-tasw-xxi Or join via phone ‪US)‪+1 513-461-6964 PIN: ‪699 580 772#

Dear Trumansburg Community, I am writing to you this afternoon with excitement as we prepare to welcome students and staff back for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. TCSD is committed to the health and safety of all our community members and as such it is necessary to provide you with guidance protocols. Please review this information and recognize it is subject to change based on local infection data. https://drive.google.com/file/d/14VIERClJWP5kSZ6OZIGWftV2Krc9PtVj/view?usp=sharing Continue to check our website for information and updates. Enjoy your remaining days of summer. Kind regards, Kimberly Bell

Free Kids’ Produce Market – Trumansburg Harvest Special this week, August 12, 2021(final week of summer market) **** LIVE MUSIC with Lucy Vera from 4:00pm-5:00pm **** *** FREE School Supplies. Supply lists available and teachers on-site to answer questions *** ** Book read aloud on grass/blankets** * Nutrition-based games provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Educator * A reminder that Trumansburg Harvest, a free kids’ produce market will be held at Trumansburg Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 12 from 3:00pm-6:00pm. This is our final week of the summer market and it's chock-full of activities! We will have live music from 4:00pm-5:00pm, with Lucy Vera playing guitar and singing. Additionally, there will be a FREE school supply store where you can find a supply list and many necessary supplies for the upcoming school year. A teacher will be there to answer any questions you may have. Furthermore, we will have a book read-aloud on the grass and nutrition-based games for youth provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Team. We hope you can join in on the fun, and, of course, bring home some free produce! A bit about the Trumansburg Harvest Kids' Produce Market Trumansburg Harvest is a free weekly produce market for all families with kids (youth 18 and under). Youth will be able to go through the small market and select any produce they would like for free. The first few hundred families will receive a free reusable bag with the Trumansburg Harvest logo. Recipes for meals which use the weekly produce will be provided. Type of produce will change weekly/seasonally. Food demos/sampling and entertainment will be on site some of the evenings. We would like to thank all collaborating organizations for the support: Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Services, Trumansburg Central School District, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg Fairgrounds, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and the Park Foundation. Should you have any questions please contact Ethan Cramton at egc24@cornell.edu

Due to on-going construction in the high school and specifically the auditorium, the Parents’ and Coaches’ Fall Sports meeting is shifting to 100% virtual on Wednesday, August 11 at 6:00 pm. Please use this link to join us at 6:00 pm via google meet: Fall Sports Parents-Coaches Meeting Wednesday, August 11 · 6:00 – 7:00pm Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/cbm-acfr-ezb Or dial: ‪(US) +1 669-238-0074 PIN: ‪300 200 077# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/cbm-acfr-ezb?pin=7317482432963

Hello Trumansburg Community, I hope this communication finds you well and enjoying the days of summer. Please see the website for partial guidance regarding re-opening. In the coming week we will provide a complete re-opening plan for your planning purposes (on the District website). TCSD’s Partial Re-Opening Guidance as of August are subject to change based on CDC, local and state DOH guidance. Respectfully, Kimberly Bell TCSD Superintendent of Schools

Free Kids’ Produce Market – Trumansburg Harvest Special this week, August 5, 2021 ** LIVE MUSIC with Lucy Vera ** ** Cornell Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Games and Prizes ** A reminder that Trumansburg Harvest, a free kids’ produce market will be held at Trumansburg Fairgrounds every Thursday, July 15- August 12 from 3:00pm-6:00pm. This week we will have live music from 4:00pm-5:00pm, with Lucy Vera playing guitar and singing. Additionally, Sarah Curless from Cornell Cooperative Education SNAP-Ed will provide a fun activity for young shoppers. Come be a super sleuth and try to piece together these fruit and vegetable riddles! Try out this very fun game and win a prize for participating. A bit about the Trumansburg Harvest Kids' Produce Market Trumansburg Harvest is a free weekly produce market for all families with kids (youth 18 and under). Youth will be able to go through the small market and select any produce they would like for free. The first few hundred families will receive a free reusable bag with the Trumansburg Harvest logo. Recipes for meals which use the weekly produce will be provided. Type of produce will change weekly/seasonally. Food demos/sampling and entertainment will be on site some of the evenings. We would like to thank all collaborating organizations for the support: Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Services, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Trumansburg Central School District, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg Fairgrounds, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and the Park Foundation. Should you have any questions please contact Ethan Cramton at egc24@cornell.edu

Free Kids’ Produce Market – Trumansburg Harvest Special this week, July 22, 2021 ** LIVE MUSIC with Xander Dawson playing saxophone and flute at 4:30pm **Book Giveaway with Ulysses Philomathic Library A reminder that Trumansburg Harvest, a free kids’ produce market will be held at Trumansburg Fairgrounds every Thursday, July 15- August 12 from 3:00pm-6:00pm. This week we will have live music at 4:30pm with Xander Dawson playing the saxophone and flute. In addition, thanks to the Ulysses Philomathic Library, we'll have books to give away at this week's market! Once kids get their produce, they can help themselves to a book to add to their personal collection. Last week over 70 youth "shopped" at our free market. We would love to have even more youth come and fill up a bag this week! A bit about the Trumansburg Harvest Kids' Produce Market Trumansburg Harvest is a free weekly produce market for all families with kids (youth 18 and under). Youth will be able to go through the small market and select any produce they would like for free. The first few hundred families will receive a free reusable bag with the Trumansburg Harvest logo. Recipes for meals which use the weekly produce will be provided. Type of produce will change weekly/seasonally. Food demos/sampling and entertainment will be on site some of the evenings! We would like to thank all collaborating organizations for the support: Trumansburg Central School District, Cornell Cooperative Extension Rural Youth Services, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg Fairgrounds, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and the Park Foundation. Should you have any questions please contact Ethan Cramton at egc24@cornell.edu

Dear Community, I am pleased to announce Ms. Fayan Rhoden as our next Charles O. Dickerson Principal. Ms. Rhoden brings with her twenty years of experience in educational administration. She is relocating to the Trumansburg area from Queens, New York, and has just seventeen credits remaining to complete her Doctor of Education. She is passionate about project-based learning, develops and supports joy in learning, and wishes to ensure that each student can demonstrate sustained and consistent progress at their highest level. She is excited to join our community and get acquainted with each of you. We anticipate Ms. Rhoden's local presence by August 1, 2021. Respectfully, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools

Congrats to our ESPN Ithaca Night of Champions Winners! Jamie Schappi - Boys Cross-Country Eric Davis - Boys Indoor Track + Field Gracie Wright - Girls Indoor Track + Field Sebastian Cole - Boys Tennis Savannah Walden - Volleyball Angela McLennan - Volleyball Coach of the Year Bryce DeSantis - Indoor Track Coach of the Year Scott Voorhees - Baseball Coach of the Year Jason Hodge- Athletic Director of the Year https://www.espnithaca.com/night-of-champions-2021/

Dear Tburg Families, As one school year comes to a close we are looking ahead at routing for the next school year! With that in mind, if your child(ren) needs bus transportation for the 2021 – 2022 school year, please clink on the link below. We ask that you complete this transportation request by Thursday, July 8th. https://forms.gle/413WGKQFKumTod3R8 To clear up any confusion: All eligible students qualify for both AM & PM bus transportation. We ask that you please fill out the request in its entirety; specifically including the pick-up and drop-off schedule that will indicate where and what days your child(ren) need transportation. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call or email: 607-387-5610 Bus@tburg.k12.ny.us lporter@tburg.k12.ny.us We thank you for your cooperation and look forward to the new school year. Sincerely, David Ink Transportation Supervisor Trumansburg Central School District 100 Whig Street Trumansburg, NY 14886

June 11, 2021 Dear Trumansburg Community, Today, the District learned of another positive COVID-19 case in our elementary school. Our school personnel has worked closely with the Department of Health to identify those directly affected. Nineteen individuals were impacted and are now in mandatory quarantine. Our building principal is working with instructional staff and families to ensure continuity in instruction. Please keep those that have been directly impacted in your thoughts. We wish for you all good health in the days ahead. Kindly, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools TCSD

June 8, 2021 Dear Trumansburg Community, The search for the next Charles O' Dickerson High School Principal is underway. The selection process began with 11 applicants; from that pool based on certification and experience, the pool was narrowed to six candidates. The administrative team screened those six applicants on Friday, June 4, lending to four individuals participating in a future principal roundtable interview process with stakeholder focus groups. The focus groups will be composed of students, parents, other community members, and staff. Participants will offer their feedback on the question: "What are the qualities necessary for the next principal of Charles O' Dickerson High School?" and arrive at key interview questions to assess which candidate is the best choice for our district. Based on the interviews, focus group input, and qualifications, two finalists will be recommended to the Superintendent and the Board. We desire to have a new appointment in place by August 15, 2021. If you are interested in participating in a stakeholder focus group, please click on this link (https://forms.gle/Cd81kQEfqJgZpQd68) noting your interest. We are looking for eight to ten individuals in each focus group. If there is more interest than opportunity, it will be necessary to draw names at random for participation. We have identified June 22, 2021, as our date for focus group interviews. Your participation will require a time commitment from 7:45 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. We will dedicate the first hour and 15 minutes meeting with your cohort to edit and revise interview questions, analyze the scoring rubric and the process, and review the bias training information. We look forward to this shared experience in finding our next school building leader. Kindly, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools

June 8, 2021, Updated Mask Guidance Dear Trumansburg Community, On June 7, 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo held a news briefing. He reported that the Centers for Disease Control has advised against changing the state's requirements for schools regarding the wearing of masks indoors. Therefore, there will be no change in indoor mask requirements announced by the state. However, the guidance is amended regarding the outdoor activity. New Guidance Excerpts: "In New York State, we're going to modify the CDC guidance and allow schools to choose no mask outside for children. In other words, children wear masks in school, inside. When they're outside of the school building in recess, et cetera, it's hot, they're running around, but they're outside, there is no mandate for masks outside. We'll leave that up to the local school district [emphasis added]. " The updated guidance is available here. The changes apply to employees as well as students. The changes do not explicitly require the engagement of stakeholders before making a change in local policy on outdoor mask requirements. "The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate." Based on the guidance, we will allow families and students to exercise their free choice if they choose to adorn a mask outdoors. For grades Pre-K-6, we asked that families directly communicate with a classroom teacher if the preference is for your child to adorn a mask while in the outdoors. For grades 7-12 we encourage families to speak of the new guidance at home; your child will be able to exercise their choice effective June 9, 2021, when in the outdoors. Thank you for your support as we continue to navigate these changes. Kindly, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools

June 7, 2021 Dear Trumansburg Community, I am writing to you with an update: "The Tompkins County Health Department is alerting the community to a recent announcement by NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding updated mask guidance in schools. As of Monday, June 7, New York State is modifying U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask guidance to allow children to not wear masks when outdoors in a school setting. This change aligns youth camp and school guidance. CDC has no objection to this change in the mask mandate. School districts will be required to uphold consistent mask use indoors based on recommendations from the CDC. The mask guidance changed very quickly for adults who are fully vaccinated; however, most children are still unvaccinated. Evidence continues to show that consistent mask use indoors for those two years and up who are not fully vaccinated, along with other prevention strategies, is key to reducing the spread of COVID,” stated Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County Public Health Director. All prior protocols for TCSD students and staff will remain in effect until June 25, 2021. We will continue to allow students to take mask breaks in our outdoor spaces with attention to distancing guidelines. We have had several positive COVID-19 cases in the past month. The mitigation measures implemented on campus, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing, have prevented the spread of cases within the classrooms. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Our partnership in this work will maximize the number of healthy individuals that may partake in year-end celebrations. Kind regards, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools

June 6, 2021 Dear Trumansburg Community, I am writing to provide clarity about the June 4, 2021 statement released from NYS stating that "masks are optional in NY state schools starting Monday, May 7, 2021. As you are well aware, we had consistently worked with our regional Department of Health anytime state COVID-19 guidance was issued. We will do the same with this new information. I have a meeting first thing tomorrow a.m. with regional Superintendents and the DOH. For the time being, our practice will remain unchanged. Masks will be required of all individuals regardless of vaccination status on our school campus. Should this guidance change following tomorrow morning's meeting, we will notify you immediately. We have had several positive COVID-19 cases in the past month. Thankfully, due to the mitigation measures implemented on our campus, such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing, the cases have not spread within the classrooms. Kind regards, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools

June 3, 2021 Dear Trumansburg Community, Late yesterday afternoon, the District was informed of a positive COVID-19 case in our elementary school. Our school personnel have worked closely with the Department of Health to identify those directly affected. Eighteen individuals were impacted and are now in mandatory quarantine. Our building principal is working with instructional staff and families to ensure continuity in instruction. Please keep those that have been directly impacted in your thoughts. We wish for you all good health in the days ahead. Kindly, Kimberly Bell Superintendent of Schools TCSD