Dear SANY parent(s) and guardian(s),

As a district, we have closely monitored the percentage of COVID-19 cases in our geographic area. It is clear that the number of COVID-19 cases are on the rise. 

Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in our area, we will temporarily suspend in-person instruction and hold remote learning. At this time, hybrid instruction will continue through Friday, November 20th, 2020. We will begin teaching all students remotely Monday, November 23rd, 2020 and Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 before Thanksgiving break. We will continue to teach remotely the week after Thanksgiving Recess, starting from Monday, November 30th, 2020 through Friday, December 4th, 2020. 

This decision was made as a safety precaution and is to ensure the wellbeing of our students and families during this difficult time. We are planning to resume in-person instruction on Monday, December 7th, 2020 as we continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases in our area. 

Please take this notice and our actions as a representation that we prioritize the health and safety of students, staff, and all members of our community to the fullest extent. 

Updated Calendar:

Sincerely, 
Science Academies of New York Administration

As of November 9, 2020, the Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School is part of a COVID -19 "Yellow Zone," as identified by Governor Cuomo.

We are now required to have 20% of our students and staff tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis in order to keep schools open for in-person learning. The test is called BinaxNOW, and is a nasal swab that produces results in approximately 15 minutes.

All parents/guardians of hybrid students are asked to complete this survey, indicating whether or not you consent for your child to be tested. Testing would be free and would occur approximately once a month if you were to consent. If your child is currently learning remotely, you do not need to complete the survey.

Survey is at https://www.sasccs.org/covidtesting

Surveys must be completed by the end of the day Friday, November 13, 2020.

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important survey.

Administration
Syracuse Academy of Science and Citizenship Charter School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Influenza, or flu, cases are being diagnosed across New York state as flu season has officially started.

Flu spreads easily and can make people very sick, especially children. Flu symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Body aches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue

Some people, especially children, may have stomach problems and diarrhea. Unlike a cold, the flu comes on very suddenly.

Flu symptoms are very similar to COVID-19 symptoms. It’s important for families to know that the Science Academies of New York (SANY) is required to follow the guidance in the New York State Department of Health Pre-K to Grade 12 COVID-19 Toolkit when determining if a student can attend school and when staff can go to work.

Please refer to the toolkit for help in determining if your child can attend school, return to school after an illness and whether your child needs a COVID-19 test to return to school.

“There is a large overlap between flu and COVID-19 symptoms,” said Diane Montgomery, a local physician who is supporting the district as its COVID-19 Medical Supervisor. “Our school nurses are required to follow the state Department of Health protocols, and families should know that a COVID-19 test may be required for their children to return to school after an illness or symptoms of an illness.”

If your child does need a COVID-19 test, please check the Onondaga County COVID-19 Testing website for testing information.

More information

• Fight Flu at Home and School (New York State Department of Health)
• The Flu: A Guide for Parents (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Everyday Preventive Actions Can Help Fight Germs, Like Flu (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Similarities and Differences Between Flu and COVID-19

Dear Citizenship Academy Elementary School families and guardians,

The Citizenship Academy Elementary School was informed today, October 23, 2020, by the Onondaga County Health Department, that a student in Citizenship Academy has tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPPA) and other privacy laws restrict the District from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information and we cannot identity anyone who has tested positive. The student was last in attendance on October 19, 2020.

On October 21, 2020 we self imposed closure for disinfection on October 22, 2020 and October 23, 2020 and to measure the scope of potential exposure, while determining the further course of action. Well working with the county health department, we determined that our closure exceeded the recommendation by the county. As such, we will reopen for in-person, hybrid learning for students on Monday, October 26, 2020.

While proceeding with an abundance of caution, we have worked closely with the Onondaga County Health Department to identity this individual's contacts at the school. It was determined that any potential exposure was very limited. The Onondaga County Health Department will reach out to all contacts and advise on the need to quarantine and arrange testing for those exposed. If you do not hear from the school district or County Health Department, your child is not impacted.

Please take this notice, and our actions as a representation that we will act swiftly to and with an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and all members of our community to the fullest extent. Again, school will be open for in-person, hybrid learning on Monday, October 26, 2020.

Administration
Citizenship Academy

Dear Citizenship Academy Elementary School families and guardians,

We are writing to share an important health announcement and announce that school will be closed for in-person learning, October 22, 2020 and October 23, 2020 for hybrid, in-person learning. Online learning will continue on schedule without disruption.

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, we were notified in the late in the evening that a member of the Citizenship Academy Elementary School had a possible exposure to COVID-19. The last day that this party attended school was October 19. The party was put in isolation due to possible exposure to COVID-19 on October 19.

We are immediately imposing a self imposed closure while we seek further guidance and collaboration from Onondaga County Health Department. We will be closed for disinfection on October 22, 2020 and October 23, 2020 and to measure the scope of potential exposure, while determining the further course of action. Our closure at this time is self imposed, in an effort to effectively plan and collaborate fully with the Onondaga County Health Department.

Please take this notice, and our actions as a representation that we will act swiftly to and with an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and all members of our community to the fullest extent. Again, online learning will continue without disruption.

Please note this closure is only for Citizenship Academy located at 301 Valley Drive and does not impact any other SANY school.

Administration
Citizenship Academy

Dear Citizenship Academy Elementary School families, guardians and staff,

We are writing to share an important health announcement and announce that school will return to session on Monday, October 19, 2020 for hybrid, in-person learning. Those students who are in Monday/Tuesday groups may return to school, and we will resume our normal schedule. Online learning will continue on schedule without disruption.

On Thursday, October 15, 2020, we were notified that one member of the Citizenship Academy Elementary School had a possible exposure to COVID-19. The last day that this party attended school was October 9. The party was put in isolation due to possible exposure to COVID-19 by an individual in the community who does not attend Citizenship Academy but had interaction with this party.

We immediately closed the school for disinfection on Friday October 16, 2020 and measured the scope of potential exposure, while determining the course of action. Our closure was self imposed, in an effort to effectively plan and collaborate fully with the Onondaga County Health Department.

On Friday October 16, 2020 we were able to collaborate with Onondaga County Health Department who confirmed that a staff member at Citizenship Academy had tested positive for Covid-19. The last day that this staff member attended school was October 9. The party was put in isolation due to possible exposure to COVID-19 by an individual in the community who does not attend Citizenship Academy but had interaction with this party. This interaction took place outside of school and while school was not in session, and this staff member has not been in school since. We wish our staff member a safe, and healthy recovery.

According to the health department, since this took place away from school and this staff member has not been in school since exposure, Citizenship Academy does not need to take any further action beyond the regular Covid-19 cleaning and disinfection performed regularly.

In an effort to be proactive we proceeded with an abundance of caution, closing school for in-person leaning on Friday October 16, 2020 for disinfection and cleaning. As we self imposed this closure, the health department is satisfied that we acted in a manner that was beyond what was deemed necessary. As such, we will resume our regular schedule.

Please take this notice, and our actions as a representation that we will act swiftly to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and all members of our community to the fullest extent.

Again, we will return to session on Monday, October 19, 2020 for hybrid, in-person learning. Those students who are in Monday/Tuesday groups may return to school, and we will resume our normal schedule. Online learning will continue on schedule without disruption.

Administration
Citizenship Academy

Dear Citizenship Academy Elementary School Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to share an important health announcement and announce that school will not be in session on Friday October 16 for hybrid learning. All learning will take place online on this day and further details will be provided tomorrow.

On Thursday, October 15, 2020, we were notified that one member of the Citizenship Academy Elementary School had a possible exposure to COVID-19. The last day that this party attended school was October 9. The party was put in quarantine due to possible exposure to COVID-19 by an individual in the community who does not attend Citizenship Academy but had interaction with this party.

Effective immediately we will close for disinfection, and to measure the scope of potential exposure, while determining the course of action. Our closure at this time is self imposed, as we are taking the highest precautions possible to ensure the health and safety of school and community. We will seek further details from the Onondaga County Health Department.

Please note this message is only for the Citizenship Academy located at 301 Valley Drive, and there is no other connection with our SANY schools noted at this time.

We wish everyone to stay safe, healthy, and informed. We will continue to provide you with new information as it is made available.

Administration
Citizenship Academy

Monday, August 17, 2020—The opening day of school for students for the 2020-2021 school year will still be Tuesday, September 8th. All students, K-5, will begin on September 8th with remote learning.

Hybrid learning will start on Monday, September 14th. ENL and SPED students will be offered to come in to the school for four days of instruction with the hybrid model.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these unique circumstances. For more information on the Full-Time Online or Hybird school models click here.

Dear Science Academies of New York Community:

Thank you to our Reopen SANY Task Force, our administrative team, staff members, parents, and board members who contributed to our draft reopening plan for the 2020-2021 school year. A copy of the plan is available via the following link: http://reopening.sany.org Please be sure to review this draft plan.

Once you have read our reopening plan, please complete a survey for each student in your home indicating your preference for instruction this fall by Friday, August 14th. The link to the survey follows: https://sites.google.com/sany.org/reopening/select-your-model

In accordance with the Governor’s directive, the district has created a draft of two different opening plans:

1. Full-time Online Education Model
2. Hybrid In-Person/Online Education Model

The district developed this reopening plan in accordance with guidance from the New York State Health Department and New York State Education Department. Our number one priority is the safety and security of our students and staff. We are fortunate to have small class sizes, large classrooms, and technology resources that are readily available so that students can benefit from instruction whether they are inside of our schools or learning from home.

All students in grades K-7 in Syracuse and grades K-8 in Utica will have both hybrid and full-time online education options. Parents need to take the survey to indicate their preference for either 1) Full-time Online Education Model or 2) Hybrid In-Person/Online Education Model. 

Students in grades 8-12 in Syracuse and grades 9-12 in Utica will have only full-time online education opportunities. 

SANY will offer to all ELL and Special Education students in grades K-12 to attend hybrid learning 4-days per week. We will periodically reassess the effectiveness of online instruction for all students in order to maximize learning. We may make adjustments to students' learning model (online or hybrid) by reassigning students to increase in-person learning opportunities based on their individual learning needs and CDC guidelines.

In order to encourage social distancing on school vehicles, we are asking families to consider transporting their own students to reduce capacity on school buses. If you are planning to send your child to school for hybrid in-person instruction, please be sure to review all of the safety precautions that you and your child will need to take, some of which include:

1. Completing a health screening each morning and not coming to school when you are sick. Please be aware that minor symptoms such as repeated coughing or sneezing, or a fever will result in children not being allowed to attend school.
2. Wearing a mask to prevent the spread of germs.
3. Practicing social distancing at all times (staying 6 feet away from others).
4. Washing your hands and practicing appropriate respiratory hygiene.

If you are indicating a preference for full-time online education for safety or other reasons, please also be aware of the following:

1. Attendance will be taken and your child will be expected to attend classes during normal school hours
2. Your child will be expected to follow the school schedule
3. Live interaction with teachers and assistance will occur during school hours

Again, please be sure to review the draft reopening plan prior to completing the survey. The draft plan has been submitted to the New York State Health Department and New York State Education Department. Governor Andrew Cuomo will make a determination during the first week of August regarding the ability of schools to reopen. Once the Governor has made a decision and the district has reviewed survey results from families, we will make a final decision regarding our ability to reopen and follow up with additional information. Please also be aware that as circumstances relative to infection rates and hospitalization rates change in our community throughout the year, we may need to adapt and adjust which may require a return to online education for all students.

This reopening will require some heavy lifting and we will need everyone to work together. I realize that parents, students, and staff members have questions, concerns, hopes, and fears relative to reopening schools during this challenging time. It is going to take everyone working together in a positive and cooperative manner to develop solutions that meet the needs of our students and staff.

Please be sure to read our draft plan, complete the survey by Friday, August 14th, and stay tuned in August for additional information. We believe that by each of us doing our part that we can reopen schools in a safe manner. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Tolga Hayali
Superintendent
Science Academies of New York

Thursday, July 16, 2020—The COVID-19 pandemic and the closing of school buildings resulted in significant changes to our traditional face-to-face model of instruction as we transitioned to distance learning. We recognize that these changes impacted our students, families, teachers, and staff in many different ways. As a result, Science Academies of New York has created a brief survey to gain feedback from our families regarding the fall and potential reopening of school buildings.

This survey is critical, and we value the feedback from all our community members. Please fill this out by Friday, July 24th. 

Click Here to Submit Survey