Posted October 08, 2020
Dear North Shore Parents, Community Members, and Faculty,
Over the past 24 hours, we have been working with the Nassau County Department of Health, our health staff, and our administration to contact trace and prepare the Sea Cliff School to reopen. Due to privacy laws, information regarding the identity of impacted students and staff cannot be released.
I am very pleased to report that the Sea Cliff School is ready to receive students and staff tomorrow and we are all very excited for a full day of in-person learning tomorrow.
Students and staff who have been identified as direct contacts will be in mandatory quarantine for 14 days and we have been speaking with all of those involved, who will remain in a remote learning model. Mrs. Wojcik and I just met with the Sea Cliff faculty. They reported an amazing day of teaching and learning. They were positive, energized, and ready for our next steps together. I extend my thanks to your child’s teacher(s) for their good, nimble work. We left our meeting last night with the hashtag, #SeaCliffStrong, and did they every prove it today!
Since dismissal yesterday, our custodial staff has been very busy. Last night, in addition to the disinfection of all touch surfaces, all impacted areas were fogged, which kills COVID within 4 minutes. Today, every hallway, classroom, instructional space, bathroom and office were fogged as well. In addition, all touch surfaces, such as phones, computers, desktops, barriers, sinks, door knobs, dispensers, railings, etc.. were cleaned and disinfected with a sanitizer that kills COVID. It was a massive undertaking and I am grateful to our facilities staff.
This has been a good learning opportunity for the North Shore Schools. While our established protocols worked well, we have new information that will strengthen them even further. The strong collaborative relationships that we have with our parents, students, and staff enabled us to quickly and efficiently share information to expedite our reopening. Thank you.
As we move forward, I wish a quick recovery to the impacted family. This is not easy and we are anxious to all be together again. Please keep our commitment to one another as a community and remain socially distant, wear a face covering, and wash your hands to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Remember that, “kites fly highest against the wind, not with it,” and we are in this together. If you child has questions, please reassure them that our schools are safe places to learn and answer their questions honestly. Your child’s teachers will be doing the same tomorrow. If you need resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Have a wonderful evening and we look forward to be #VikingStrong together tomorrow.
Very best regards,
Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools