AECSD Transition to Remote Learning

Dear Auburn Families,
 
In response to the concerning increase in COVID-19 cases throughout our community, as well as the number of AECSD employees and students in mandatory quarantine, the time has come for our entire school district to temporarily transition into a full remote learning model. Beginning tomorrow, December 9, all of our schools will move to full remote learning through January 19, with a tentative in-person return date of Wednesday, January 20, 2021. I know this is disappointing news, but the health and safety of our school community remains our number one priority.
 
Even though we have not seen the virus spread throughout our schools, we have seen a single positive case cause dozens of employees and students in our school community to have to go into mandatory quarantine, and that is really our main issue. Due to the vast number of employees in quarantine, we are just not able to obtain enough substitutes to fulfill these vacancies.
 
In addition, on top of the large number of students in quarantine, we have also had a significant number of students transfer to the full remote learning model, which has drastically minimized the number of students we are actually teaching in-person. With so many students in remote learning at this time, temporarily transitioning everyone to a full remote learning model will really allow us to meet the needs of all of our students better since teachers will be able to focus solely on remote instruction.
 
By transitioning into a full remote learning model, all students K-12, as well as students in the CTE programs at BOCES, will transition to remote learning. There will be no extracurricular activities during this time unless they are able to held virtually. There will also be no before and afterschool programs running. Furthermore, there will be no Head Start preschool classrooms running inside AECSD school buildings. Additional information from Head Start will be forthcoming.
 
The school principals and program directors will be sending out more specific information related to your student’s classes. Also, if you have any technology-related questions or issues, please reach out to our technology department at ihelp@aecsd.education or (315) 255-8863.
 
Additionally, we will continue to provide grab-n-go breakfasts and lunches to all students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Auburn Junior High, Casey Park, and Genesee.
 
I put together a short video with additional information explaining our reasoning for temporarily transitioning into a full remote learning model. You can view it below, as well as on our website and social media platforms.


 
I understand this transition may not be easy for some families, but we will get through this.
 
Please stay safe and healthy,
 
Jeffrey Pirozzolo
Superintendent of Schools
Auburn Enlarged City School District