COVID-19 Updates

Welcome to our COVID response page. Below you’ll find all the critical information about how the Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School is changing the way we operate to reduce the risk of COVID infection. We are doing everything we can to make sure staff, students, and families are safe. Please check back regularly, as we will update the information here as conditions change.

The NYC DOE COVID-19 Guidelines site section also has important information and resources for you. 

Last updated: December 28, 2020

Key Contact

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 plan, please contact Ms. Diana Gonzalez:

Email
dleongonzalez@schools.nyc.gov

Phone
718-370-6950 ext. 2020

Address
100 Essex Dr, Staten Island, NY 10314

Community Resources

Building Safety

We have put safety procedures in place to keep our students and staff healthy.

  • Health Screening: All students and staff must complete a health screening before entering the school building.  
  • Masks: Masks must be worn at all times by all adults and students in the building.
  • Hand washing: Students and staff are expected to wash hands thoroughly before and after eating, after using the bathroom, if exposed to body fluids (like saliva or a sneeze), and at other times necessary throughout the day.
  • Social Distancing: Social distancing is required at all times. Please maintain social distancing between families during drop-off and pickup. Parents are not allowed to enter the building.
  • Illness: Students and staff exhibiting signs of illness or having a fever of greater than 99.9°F must stay home and notify the school. If you or someone you know has COVID-19 (or shows symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughing or fever), it is required that you quarantine for a minimum of 14 days and notify the school.
  • Directions for local COVID testing: Please visit the NYS Coronavirus Find a Test Site page to find a test site closest to you.

Technology Support

We are committed to making sure that all students can successfully connect to online learning during their at-home learning days.

  • If your student needs a laptop or tablet, fill out the Device Request Form to reserve your device. Borrowing a device is free!
  • If your children experience internet-connectivity issues with their iPads, they can request help through the Technical Support for Families form.
  • Borrowed devices should be used for school purposes only and kept in a secure location. Take your device with you on in-school days.
  • If you are not able to get internet hooked up in your home, your child's teacher will work with you to provide alternative offline assignments.

Update 9.8.21

Hi all!

 

I hope that you’ve had a wonderful, restful summer. 

 

We will be hosting an informational session for families Thursday evening on September 9, 2021 at 7pm.  We will be sharing most of the same information contained below.  A link will be emailed to you and posted in Google Classroom for each grade.

 

First and foremost: we are going to have a fabulous year.  We are eager to be back in person with all of our students and are planning on making the most of this Homecoming.  We are already planning the events that make McCown such a wonderful community. 

 

Also, we take your child’s safety very seriously.  We will be following all DOE COVID-19 guidelines.  We do not have all the answers yet as this is another year that we will be doing things for the first time but we will make it work for your child.

 

  1. We are going back to school full time all day - you don’t have to opt in to anything.
  2. There is no remote option. 
  3. ALL students must complete the NYCDOE Health Screening EVERY MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL.  This is how you know if you can enter the building.  Please practice with your child.  Follow this link, save it to your phone, and complete the survey as a guest.  
  4. Students will be changing classrooms.
  5. We are able to maintain 3ft of distance in all classrooms throughout the day and adhere to room capacity mandates. 
  6. All students and adults must wear masks all the time at school.  Bring extra masks for your comfort.
  7. Our schedule is 8am until 2:20pm every day. 
    1. We are no longer dismissing students early on Fridays due to a change in policy from the Department of Education. 
    2. Students may enter the cafeteria for breakfast in the designated McCown section at 7:40am.
  8. Student schedules will be shared as soon as they are completed tomorrow through PupilPath. 
    1. We will distribute schedules on Friday from 9am to 11am (9th grade 9-9:30, 10th grade 9:30 - 10am, 11th grade 10 - 10:30 and 12th grade 10:30 - 11am)  and again on Monday before 8am. 
      1. 9th and 10th grade issues should be directed to Ms. Reingold
      2. 11th and 12th grade issues should be directed to Mr. Frickenstein
  9. All students are encouraged to be vaccinated.  I am attaching an information letter and flyer for the vaccination site that will be at McCown all next week for free from 12pm to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. 
    1. There are different guidelines for students who are vaccinated and who are not.  Unvaccinated students will be asked to consent to testing and will have to quarantine at home if they are exposed to COVID-19.  They will mostly receive asynchronous instruction while quarantining.  
    2. Attendance will be taken in school on the pink scan sheets - not through survey.
  10. Students will not be changing for physical education. Wear comfortable clothes and sneakers every day.
  11. Students will be assigned hall lockers. 
    1. There is a delay in the delivery of locks for 9th graders - we will distribute as soon as we have them.
  12. Students will be encouraged to eat lunch outside in the courtyard.  Each week, one grade of students will be eating lunch in the auditorium to maintain social distance starting with 9th graders next week.  Please bring a bag lunch or we will provide bag lunch during the week that your grade is in the auditorium.  Students will be asked to eat quickly and put their masks back on. 
  13. School uniforms are required (McCown top and black bottoms - the link is on our school website: www.gaynormccownels.org and the passcode is MC14212
  14. ID cards and metrocards will be distributed next week.  Please send in any outstanding forms that you still have at home. 

 

Please direct emails to Ms. Gonzalez and I will answer them in the presentation and in a follow up email this weekend.

 

Best,

Ms. Tang