Franklin Square, Elmont schools closed for two weeks

All Nassau County schools will be closed for two weeks as of Monday, by order of Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

Curran made the announcement Sunday morning as health and school officials look to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of two New Yorkers, both of whom had underlying health conditions, and infected more than 600 people statewide.

Schools will be closed for students, but administrators and teachers may still enter buildings. 

According to a memo to Nassau County superintendents from Curran, school districts are allowed to:

• Ask 12-month employees to report to their buildings.
• Provide professional development instruction to staff.
• Provide distance learning if necessary.

Building principals and administrators would remain in contact with parents about coursework that could be completed remotely, local superintendents said, and schools would continue providing “grab and go” lunches for children relying on free and reduced-price lunch.

In the Franklin Square School District, for example, meals will be available at the Washington Street School parking lot. Students with last names beginning with letters A through H would be able to pick up their meals between 10:30 and 11:15 a.m., students with last names beginning with letters I through Q can pick up their lunches at 11:15 to 11:45 a.m., and students with last names beginning with letters R through Z can pick up their lunches from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Meals must be picked up by a parent or guardian, and proof of the parent or guardians’ status is required.

“I hope this time away will allow all of us to focus on our families’ health and well-being,” Superintendent Jared Bloom posted on the district’s website that day, adding that he will be in contact with parents about any new information.

Elmont Superintendent Al Harper, meanwhile, noted that all field trips have been cancelled until further notice, and assured parents that if a staff member of student were to be diagnosed with COVID-19, the Nassau County Department of Health would provide the district with guidance on how to proceed.

In the meantime, Harper wrote, all students in the district have received ELA and math curriculum packets, which could also be found on the district’s website under the title “Academic Support Material.” Teacher sand administrators are also aware of concerns over disruptions to the educational process, he noted, and “will take into account any disruption to the educational routine, whether missed instruction or the need for additional time to complete assignments.”

“Our main concern,” he wrote, “is the safety and health of all our students and staff.”