Update on COVID-19

Posted: 
Saturday, March 14, 2020

Brothers and Sisters of the LUT:

Thank you for being patient and professional in this time of uncertainty.  
 
I want you to know that your Union leadership is communicating regularly with Central Office to ensure that any short-term plans to make the buildings clean and safe, or long-term plans to ensure the continuity of instruction, has our input.
 
You have already seen a plan by the District to utilize Edmodo as the primary platform district wide.  While there is some familiarity with this platform on the secondary level, many educators may be seeing it for the first time.
 
I want to reassure all of you, that more in-depth training is planned.  A plan was in place to provide this training on Friday and Monday, but unfortunately those plans had to change.  We do hope to receive ample training during our scheduled Superintendent's Conference Day next Tuesday. We need our teachers/support staff to feel comfortable with this technology if a long-term shutdown of our schools is necessary.
 
Please remember that this is uncharted territory for all of us and that there have been constant conversations on what the expectations are for remote learning. I want to reassure everyone that we will make remote learning work in a way that serves the children in our community, yet, is not onerous or burdensome to our teachers. Anything we agree to will not be precedent setting.
 
We are also in constant consultation with NYSUT to review and assess the Governor's proposed waiver and any impact it may have on our calendar year. As of now, districts would have to exhaust their snow days and vacation days before they would qualify for any exemptions to the 180-day requirement.
 
I believe that we will get through this if we all continue to work together.
 
With help of our Corresponding Secretary, Joe Romano, we plan on updating membership through our normal lines of communication - text blasts, newsletters, website etc.  If you know of members who do not receive our correspondences please have them email Joe Romano (josephromano@mac.com) their contact information: personal email address and cell phone number.
 
We are also looking to increase participation in our Facebook group. Please click on the Facebook icon below this message to get connected. The LUT Facebook group is a closed group where we can share information and engage in meaningful dialogue as necessary.
 
It is no surprise to me that you have been nothing but calm, professional and reassuring to our children. You guys can always be counted on during stressful times. The Levittown community is lucky to have such a caring, professional staff!
 
Thank you for being patient and for showing such resiliency.  
 
I am proud to represent such incredible educators!
 
In Unity,
 
John