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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected].

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