Governor Cuomo announced on Friday January 22, 2021 that high risk sports, which include wrestling, hockey, basketball and competitive cheerleading, could possibly commence as early as February 1st under certain specific conditions. 

Under New York State Department of Health guidance, schools may authorize high risk sports, “only as permitted by the respective local health authorities, (i.e., county health departments).” Local authorities must consider health and safety factors including COVID-19 positivity rates in the community.

All 24 districts in Section X are having ongoing discussions this week to discuss the announcement and next steps in the decision-making process. The districts will continue to work collaboratively with the St. Lawrence and Franklin County Departments of Public Health to evaluate current health metrics as well as health and safety considerations for student athletes, coaches, school staff, and the public. 

It is paramount that school district leaders carefully weigh all factors in this decision, which will require some time. 

Dear Students and Families,

We will be having another SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL LEARNING DAY on Monday, November 9th.

What does that mean? On Monday, students at all grade levels will need to report to their Zoom meeting classes on a schedule, just as if they were in school. It will be a modified schedule beginning with HR at 8:20, Pd. 1 at 8:30 and Pd. 8 ending at 12:20. (See full schedule below.) Lunch will be at 12:20 for Middle & High School students and at 12:30 Elementary students. The rest of the afternoon through 3 PM will be available for students to check in with teachers if they need additional help and teachers to check in with students they feel may need more help.

This SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING VIRTUAL MONDAY will give us all another chance to practice what it would be like if the school moved to all remote learning, an opportunity to work out any kinks. We will continue practicing this again on other Mondays and adjust as necessary.

Homeroom* -  8:15-8:30

Period 1* -  8:30 - 8:50

Period 2* -  9:00 - 9:20

Period 3*  -  9:30 - 9:50

Period 4*  -  10:00 - 10:20

Period5*  -  10:30 - 10:50

Period 6*  -  11:00 - 11:20

Period 7*  -  11:30 - 11:50

Period 8*  -  12:00 - 12:20

Lunch  -  12:20-12:40 (Elementary Lunch 12:30-1:00)

Teacher Office Hours  -  12:50-3:00

*Elementary schedule may vary slightly.

A few additional notes:

--If students do not report in for HR, they will be marked absent for the day and parents will receive an automated attendance call.

--Mondays and any future all remote days, both synchronous and asynchronous, are not days to take a break. Real learning is taking place and expectations will not be watered down.

--BOCES students who have a schedule conflict with the schedule above and their BOCES classes will be contacted by their CFCS teachers for an alternate class time.

--HS students who have college-level or AP distance learning courses may have a conflict with this schedule. Please check with your teachers for other arrangements.

--PE classes WILL meet during the scheduled period for Monday, 11/9. TBD for future Synchronous Learning days.

--At the high school level, course attendance is important for earning credit toward graduation. Mondays and all Remote Learning days DO count for attendance.

--Students are not required to Zoom for study halls. The teacher will be available by Zoom if the student wants help.

--Students should bring their Chromebooks home daily to be ready at any moment if the school should move to all remote learning. 

Dear Students and Families,

As you may be aware, there are an increased number of COVID cases being reported in St. Lawrence County and several local schools have moved to all remote learning for a period of time. This is NOT the case for Clifton-Fine as we have no COVID cases reported to date. However, it could happen at any time and we want to be prepared. To that end, we will be having a SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL LEARNING DAY on Monday, November 2nd.

What does that mean? On Monday, students at all grade levels will need to report to their Zoom meeting classes on a schedule, just as if they were in school. It will be a modified schedule beginning with HR at 8:20, Pd. 1 at 8:30 and Pd. 8 ending at 12:20. (See full schedule below.) Lunch will be at 12:20 for Middle & High School students and at 12:30 Elementary students. The rest of the afternoon through 3 PM will be available for students to check in with teachers if they need additional help and teachers to check in with students they feel may need more help.

This SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING VIRTUAL MONDAY will give us all a chance to practice what it would be like if the school moved to all remote learning, an opportunity to work out any kinks. We will very likely practice this again on other Mondays. You will be notified.

Homeroom* -  8:20-8:30

Period 1* -  8:30 - 8:50

Period 2* -  9:00 - 9:20

Period 3*  -  9:30 - 9:50

Period 4*  -  10:00 - 10:20

Period5*  -  10:30 - 10:50

Period 6*  -  11:00 - 11:20

Period 7*  -  11:30 - 11:50

Period 8*  -  12:00 - 12:20

Lunch  -  12:20-12:40 (Elementary Lunch 12:30-1:00)

Teacher Office Hours  -  12:50-3:00

*Elementary schedule may vary slightly.

A few additional notes:

--If students do not report in for HR, they will be marked absent for the day and parents will receive an automated attendance call.

--Mondays and any future all remote days, both synchronous and asynchronous, are not days to take a break. Real learning is taking place and expectations will not be watered down.

--BOCES students who have a schedule conflict with the schedule above and their BOCES classes will be contacted by their CFCS teachers for an alternate class time.

--HS students who have college-level or AP distance learning courses may have a conflict with this schedule. Please check with your teachers for other arrangements.

--PE classes WILL meet during the scheduled period for this coming Monday, 11/2. TBD for future Synchronous Learning days.

--At the high school level, course attendance is important for earning credit toward graduation. Mondays and all Remote Learning days DO count for attendance.

--Students are not required to Zoom for study halls. The teacher will be available by Zoom if the student wants help.

--Students should bring their Chromebooks home daily to be ready at any moment if the school should move to all remote learning. 

Dear Clifton Fine Central Schools Community, 

This is an update on our progress towards ensuring a safe and structured opening of school this September.  Recently we posted a second parent survey on our school website that asks for your input. If you have not had a chance to submit the  survey, please consider doing so.   

We are looking for your initial thoughts on two things.  1. if you are planning to send your child to school this September for in person instruction, or if you wish for your child’s academics to be taught virtually.   2.  If you would team up with us and if possible transport your child to and from school.   We are busing. We have put in place safety protocols.  We are simply looking to poll the community in order to plan.  Now please note-  You can change your mind.  

Our plan will be comprehensive and with safety above all.  The New York State Department of Health has released guidance for schools and here are some of the highlights that may help.

Everyone - Students and Staff will be temperature checked each morning.  Anyone with a temperature above 100 degrees will not enter the building.

All faculty and staff will be masked.  All locations in the building will have physical distancing protocols, including ensuring students are able to be 6 feet away from each other during instruction and mealtimes.  

Students will be masked on buses and any time in the day when 6 feet of distance can’t be maintained. 

The plan is being constructed and will include your input from both surveys and from the stakeholder meetings being held next week.  Upon its completion, the full plan will be posted on the District website.  

I know you may have more questions.  I know you may be unsettled.  It is our number one priority to ensure students and staff are safe and this focus is at the heart of our plan.

Thank you,
Matthew Southwick
Superintendent