Good afternoon, 

I hope this letter finds our Galway families healthy! There is no denying that this change to our everyday lives is difficult for everyone.  I am so appreciative of the time, effort, and support you are providing your children and doing your part to slow the spread of this pandemic! At this time, we have deployed 1:1 devices to 98% of our students. If you did not receive a 1:1 device and would like one, please contact me for delivery. We have also provided MiFi devices to families who currently have cell coverage but do not have access to the internet.  We are working to secure additional MiFi devices, and if your family requires this additional support, please contact me as well. 

While education is our service to which our district is 100% committed, and Galway CSD is like our home, we realize that education is not a place and have shifted our education to the cloud. We have quickly learned to navigate remote learning sites, prioritize our curriculum, and set-up virtual classrooms. Everyone has had to learn this style of education, and we appreciate your continued understanding and flexibility.

At this point, our classroom teachers have transitioned from review lessons to introducing new topics. Your child should be in daily contact with their classroom teacher through Google Classroom, Class DoJo, Flip Grid etc... Teachers are using videos, virtual meetings, phone calls, and emails to connect with your child. If you are having any trouble connecting your child to their teacher, please email eagletechsupport@galwaycsd.org as our technicians are available to assist you and your child. 

Classroom teachers use online platforms to introduce, practice, and assess topics. Children can show their understanding in a variety of ways. Teachers will holistically grade students' knowledge of the newly taught concepts.  We are required to account for student attendance, much like we do when students come to school. Participation in online learning lessons is essential! We will continue to monitor your child's success and, if permitted, hope to provide summer school for children who have difficulty understanding new topics. 

The education of our students is dependent on our entire community. While the idea of online instruction is not new to our instructional team, moving instruction entirely online is a journey that we will all navigate together. 

We continue to provide childcare opportunities to families of First Responders through our WSWHE BOCES and deliver weekly meals to our families. If you are a first responder and require assistance with childcare and/or a family in need of help with meals, please email me at mlmcdougall@galwaycsd.org.

I want to close by sharing how grateful I am to every one of you as we maneuver this challenging situation together.  Further, I want to reiterate that while education is our mission, the health and safety of our children and families of Galway is our priority. We care for one another and support one another.  We will continue to have challenges in front of us, and I know we can meet these challenges; together, all things are possible. 

Take Care,

Michelle McDougall

Elementary School Principal

Dear Galway Central School District Families grade 6-12,

The Galway Central School District knows that these are unprecedented and challenging times for all of us. Our goal at the Junior/Senior High School is to engage our students in learning and not to overwhelm our families or cause undue stress. As we move into next week, teachers in grades 6-12 will transition into presenting new material and grading assignments. Below are some clarifying points related to our guidelines for the Third and Fourth Quarter marking periods.

Third Quarter:
•  Only assignments and assessments assigned prior to or on Friday, March 13, 2020 were graded and factored into third quarter grades. 


•  Limited new material was presented to students from March 16, 2020 through April 10, 2020. Teachers were instructed to assign review material and maintain connection to keep students engaged.

•  
Advanced Placement and College Level Course continued as normal with new material and grading to ensure compliance with college regulations.


•  Teachers may have chosen to authorize an "Incomplete" for students facing adversity for the third quarter. Students who receive an "Incomplete" are expected to make up late and missed work in order to obtain a number grade.


Fourth Quarter:
•  Course work assigned or due on or after Monday, April 20, 2020 will be graded and counted on the fourth quarter. 


•  Students are expected to check in with their teachers throughout the week as directed by the classroom teacher. 


•  Students are expected to complete assignments and assessments per the teachers' instructions through the remainder of the fourth quarter.

•  
Teachers will continue to be flexible with timelines and grading as we continue with our online instruction.


Additional Information
•  Teachers are providing instruction and utilizing online communication platforms. This may vary from classroom to classroom.


•  Teachers will be flexible with the submission of work or deadlines.


•  Should your child require any technology support while trying to access resources, please email eagletechsupport@galwaycsd.org. Our technology team will make every effort to provide fast and efficient support. Please include the following information in the email:

1. Student's full name
2. Grade level
3. Teacher - if applicable
4. Contact name (if not the student)
5. Contact phone number
6. Best time for us to call
7. Detailed information on the issues you are having

•  Please hold on to all your hard copies of materials and completed work. 


•  NYS Education Department has suspended all elementary/intermediate NYS exams inclusive of the following:

   •  3-8 English Language Arts (ELA)
   •  3 -8 Mathematics

   •  4 & 8 Science

   •  NYS Alternative Assessments (NYSAA K-12)

   •  NYS English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT)


•   NYS Education Department has suspended all June Regents. 

   •  Students enrolled in a course ending in a Regents who successfully complete that course, will earn Regents credit.
   •  Students who were previously enrolled in a Regents course and have not passed the exam, but intended to take in June will also earn credit.

•  We are required to account for student attendance, much like we do when students come to school.


The education of our students is dependent on our entire community. While the idea of online instruction is not new to our instructional team, moving instruction entirely online is a journey that we will all navigate together. We continue to provide childcare opportunities to families of First Responders through our WSWHE BOCES and deliver weekly meals to our families. If you are a first responder and require assistance with childcare and/or a family in need of help with meals, please email me at mmiller@galwaycsd.org.

The Jr/Sr High School recognizes there has been an influx of information, and hope this letter helps to bring clarity to any remaining questions or concerns. I would like to close by sharing how grateful I am to every one of you as we maneuver this challenging situation together. Further, I want to reiterate that while education is our mission, the health and safety of our children and families of Galway is our priority. We care for one another and support one another. We will continue to have challenges in front of us, and I know we can meet these challenges; together, all things are possible.

Thank you,
Michael R. Miller
Junior/Senior High School Principal

April 1, 2020

Dear Galway Families,

We hope this communication finds you healthy.  The entire administrative team is looking forward to when our students and staff return.  In the meantime please let us know if there is anything we can do for your family. It is important that we all stay connected during this time of social distancing.  The information below includes updates from Governor Cuomo, the State Education Department and our school district.

●  School Closure Extended:​ On March 27, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an ​executive order​ regarding the extension of school closure through April 15, 2020. ​While we believe a return to school on April 16 to be highly unlikely, please be aware that if the Governor does not extend the school closure past April 15th, we would have to return to school on Thursday, April 16. We will continue to monitor all available guidance and directives, and keep you informed of changes. Again, from everything we have seen and heard thus far, anticipate that the April 15 date will be extended.

●  Spring Break: ​During this time, schools are required to provide continuity of instruction, meals for students and childcare resources every weekday,​ ​including days originally part of the previously​ scheduled spring break.

●  School Budget Vote:​ The governor has postponed the ​budget vote​ ​until June 1st or later.

●  School Board Elections: ​The governor has postponed the ​school board elections ​until June 1st or later.

●  Galway School District Board of Education Meeting:​  The Galway School District Board of Education will comply with the open meetings law ​AND​ safe social-distancing practices during our meeting on April 9th. A link for public participation will be posted on the district website before the meeting.

We recognize that this is a stressful and challenging situation and we want you to know ​you can count on us​.  We will continue to share information as soon as it becomes available to us. Thank you for sharing your pictures and videos - they really make our day! 

Together we soar,

Mrs. Donovan

Mrs. McDougall

Mrs. Hall

Mr. Miller

Mrs. Sayward

Ms. Britt