Bellmore-Merrick schools closed through April 1

School is out across all of Bellmore and Merrick until April 1, according to an executive order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Monday night.

The announcement came as districts began what was initially a two-week hiatus until March 27, as ordered by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran on Sunday. At the end of the month, state officials will consider whether to extend school closures and continue to suspend the 180-day instruction requirement.

At the time, COVID-19 had claimed the lives of two New Yorkers, both of whom had underlying health conditions. This week, reported cases in New York also rose to 950, the most of any state.

No cases were reported in Bellmore or Merrick’s schools, however.

The decision, the governor said, was made to ensure consistency in instruction across New York.

“The single most effective way to slow the spread of this virus is to reduce close contacts, and that includes in our schools,” Cuomo said.

Per Curran’s order, the schools will be closed to students, but administrators and teachers may still enter the buildings. In a memo to Nassau County superintendents, Curran noted that school districts can:

• Ask 12-month employees to report to their buildings.

• Provide professional development instruction to staff.

• Provide distance learning if necessary.

Although it was unclear at press time if the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District administration would have employees come in or have them undergo professional development, the district will continue to hold educational activities through Infinite Campus. The online student management system allows teachers to send out assignments, provide lessons or send links to other educational platforms, such as Google Classroom, according to a letter sent to parents on March 5.

Both students and parents have access to the email-like system in Infinite Campus, allowing instructors to maintain communication with families.

“Please know that our teachers have worked tirelessly to plan for an extended school closure, but since this is the first time we are implementing a system like this, we ask parents and students to remain patient,” wrote Assistant Superintendent Mike Harrington in a letter to parents. “I am confident that in the weeks to come, the students and staff will continue to work hard and make us proud.”

Before Curran’s announcement, Superintendent John DeTommaso notified parents that the district’s schools will be closed on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 “out of an abundance of caution” following coronavirus developments.

“While at this time, we do not have a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the district, we understand the last several weeks have been extremely challenging and stressful for our community members,” the letter reads. “We hope that these two days will serve as a well-needed pause and give the New York State Governor and the Education Department more time to provide school districts with further guidance and clarification on moving forward.”

A deep cleaning and sanitizing of all buildings within the district occurred on Saturday, March 14.

Cancellations have come to most of the district’s extracurricular and sporting activities. The Bellmore-Merrick Broadcasting program canceled its trip to the Student Television Networks Convention in Washington, and two finalists in the Society for Science & the Public’s 2020 Regeneron Science Talent Search — John F. Kennedy High School seniors Andrew Brinton and Katherine St George — were notified that the final stage of the competition in Washington, D.C., originally set for this month, is postponed until the summer.

Director of Physical Education and Athletics Eric Caballero also notified parents on Sunday that Pat Pizzarelli, executive director of Section VIII Athletics, cancelled “all practices and athletic contests” through March 29.

“Ultimately, we hope to be able to provide the opportunity for our student athletes to participate in spring sports,” Caballero wrote. “However, this is an ever-changing situation in an unprecedented environment. We appreciate your patience as we attempt to make the appropriate decisions as it pertains to athletic competition.”

Modified Spring Sports, which was scheduled to begin on March 30 for middle school athletes, is suspended indefinitely. “The hope is that, if and when the high school athletic program is reinstated, Section VIII will assess how to accommodate our middle school student athletes and whether they can create a viable sports schedule for competition,” Caballero wrote to parents. “This is subject to change depending on the circumstances.”

Assistant Superintendent for Business Kate Freeman also wrote to parents that the Free and Reduced School Lunch Program will continue despite closures, as required by Cuomo’s order. On Monday, the district began providing take-away lunches for students in the program, available for pick up at Sanford H. Calhoun High School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.