Dear Families,

All Bronx Charter School for Excellence schools will close starting Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice. We consider the health and safety of students, staff, and families our top priority. Given the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and growing health care concerns globally, we write to inform you of the steps we have taken so far to keep our school community safe. Of course, we will continue to review updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), New York State Department of Education and the New York City Department of Education and provide updates through the COVID-19 link on our website.

I want to thank all of you in advance for your flexibility and understanding, knowing that new information and updates arise every day.

As a community, we will continue to take the following steps:

Provide COVID-19 updates that are relevant to our school community
Bronx Excellence has created a website (see above) to answer many of the questions you will have about our decision. We will be vigilant in keeping this site, as well as our Facebook page, updated moving forward. Should you have additional questions, please
email Coronavirus@excellenceschools.org.

Follow the CDC recommendations
Since there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19, the most important things that members of our community can do to prevent the spreading of respiratory diseases
include:

• Avoid close contact: Put distance between yourself and other people
who are sick.
• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20
seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going
to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all
surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
• Soap and water: Soap and water are the best options if hands are visibly
dirty.
• Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with
unwashed hands.

If You Feel Sick
• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 can isolate at home
during their illness. Stay home and call your doctor if you have symptoms
like coughing, shortness of breath, fever, sore throat.
• Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas until you
have been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
• If you need help getting medical care, call 311.

Be Vigilant and Proactive in our on-campus efforts
• While no cases of COVID-19 have been detected on campus, our school
nurse, in collaboration with the (DOHMH), continues to monitor to
determine if there are symptoms.
• Supplying all schools with face masks to be used if a student or staff
member exhibits symptoms and requires isolation before transport to a
doctor and/or testing.
• Our facilities staff have intensified daily cleaning and disinfecting
throughout our campus (door handles, faucets, rails, elevators, phones,
desks, etc.).
• Increasing deep cleanings to two times per week, disinfecting surface
areas with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved
cleaning disinfectant.
• Continuously stock bathrooms with soap and paper towels.
• Actively encouraging regular hand washing throughout the day,
particularly before meals, and ensuring students have the time to wash
hands.
• Install additional hand-sanitizer dispensers throughout the campus.

Provide Academic Continuity
We sent home a 30-day Home Learning Calendar with grade-level specific
assignments. The Home Learning Calendar includes sets of directions to guide scholars
through each daily assignment. If you have questions or any problems, please message
your scholar’s teacher. She/he will respond within 24 hours.

K-2

• Eureka Math Workbook: Learn
• Journeys Readers Workbook
• Journeys Textbook
• Spring Break Packet (Math)
• Book review with rubric
• Think Central-Username and Password
• Clever portal-access to multiple educational websites

3-4 

• ELA Progress Book 
• ELA Ready Book
• Math Ready Book
• Eureka Math Workbook: Succeed 
• Spring Break Packet (Math) 
• Book review with rubric
• Clever portal-access to multiple educational websites

5-8 

• ELA Progress Book 
• Math Progress Book
• ELA iReady
• Math iReady 
• Spring Break Packet (Math) 
• Book review with rubric 
• Clever portal-access to multiple educational websites iXL

Previous Announcements (via Schoolmessenger & backpacked with scholars)

March 12th, 2020

• All afterschool programs and partnerships postponed

March 11th, 2020

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) flyer
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet
• All Bronx Excellence Field Trips cancelled

March 5th, 2020

• Updated Coronavirus FAQs

February 26th, 2020

• Coronavirus FAQs

January 31st, 2020

• Backpacked letter informing families of the novel (new) coronavirus

I thank you once again for your continued understanding and support and wish
health and safety for all.

Sincerely,
Dr. Charlene Reid
CEO, Excellence Community Schools

Timeline of Events

August 8, 2020 - Information about grab-and-go meals available for Stamford families was updated.

May 22, 2020 - Information about grab-and-go meals available for Stamford families was updated.

May 1, 2020 - Governor Cuomo has announced that schools across New York State will stay closed through the end of the school year. 

April 23, 2020 - Bronx Excellence 2 was named as one of the Recognition Schools for 2019-2020 by the New York State Education Department — an honor given to schools with a high-level of academic achievement. Bronx Excellence 2 was one of the 582 total schools, and 37 charter schools, that were listed.

April 7, 2020 - Information about grab-and-go meals available for Stamford families was updated.

April 2, 2020 - Information about grab-and-go meals available during spring break for Stamford families was uploaded to the website.

March 31, 2020 - The website was updated with additional resources for Bronx families as well as organizations offering meals/food for those in need.

March 30, 2020 - Uploaded Governor Cuomo's announcement of new COVID-19 mobile testing site in the Northeast Bronx to website

March 27, 2020 - Updated grab-and-go meal locations for Stamford Excellence families were posted to the website. 

March 27, 2020 - NYC Health COVID-19 FAQs and New York State Education Department Mental Health Resources for parents and school-aged children links uploaded

March 26, 2020 - Stamford Excellence link to art education curriculum website uploaded 

March 25, 2020 - Stamford Excellence link to physical education curriculum website uploaded 

March 25, 2020 - Link was posted to the website with information about the New York Public Library’s partnership with Brainfuse to provide tutoring and other resources for scholars.

March 24, 2020 - Bronx Excellence grab-and-go meal information was updated.

March 24, 2020 - Altice USA phone number provided for those Stamford Excellence families still looking for free internet.
 
March 24, 2020 - Update with Governor Lamant’s statement that schools will remain closed until April 24, 2020 posted to the website for Stamford Excellence families.

March 23, 2020 - Bronx Excellence grab-and-go meal information and internet service provider offerings were updated and uploaded, respectively.

March 23, 2020 - Stamford Excellence grab-and-go meal information was updated.

March 20, 2020 - Bronx Excellence grab-and-go meal information was updated.

March 19, 2020 - Update and link were posted to the website informing Stamford families of free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access being offered for 60 days to households with students in grades K-12 and/or college who do not have a Spectrum broadband subscription already.

March 17, 2020 - Stamford Excellence comprehension questions for grades K and 1 were updated on the website. These questions were updated to properly match the stories to which they are assigned.

March 17, 2020 - Stamford Excellence spring break packets for grades 3, 4, and 5 were uploaded to the website.

March 17, 2020 - Bronx Excellence comprehension questions for grade K were updated on the website. These questions were updated to properly match the stories to which they are assigned. 

March 16, 2020 - Scholar curriculum for all Bronx Excellence schools uploaded to school website

March 16, 2020 - Bronx Excellence announced school closures starting on March 16, 2020 until further notice. Please check this page for more information.

March 13, 2020 - Scholar curriculum for Stamford Excellence uploaded to school website

March 13, 2020 - Stamford Excellence announced school closure for two weeks starting on March 13, 2020. Important updates as well as schoolwork went home with scholars.

March 12, 2020 - All afterschool programs and partnerships postponed or cancelled

March 11, 2020 - Coronavirus (COVID-19) flyer sent home with scholars - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet sent home with scholars - All Bronx Excellence Field Trips cancelled 

March 5, 2020 - Updated Coronavirus FAQs sent home with scholars

February 26, 2020 - Coronavirus FAQs sent home with scholars

January 31, 2020 - Backpacked letter informing families of the novel (new) Coronavirus

Please Note Updated Hours Starting Week of July 6

Stamford Public Schools (SPS) continues to provide free Grab-and-Go meals, at the following school and community sites on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
 
Two supper meals, per child, will be available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the school locations:

• Monday (two breakfasts, two lunches and two supper meals per child 18 or younger)
• Wednesday (two breakfasts, two lunches and two supper meals per child 18 or younger)
• Friday (three breakfasts, three lunches and two supper meals per child 18 or younger)

Elementary Schools 

• Hart Magnet, 61 Adams Ave. (10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)
• Julia A. Stark, 398 Glenbrook Rd. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Rogers International School, 202 Blachley Rd. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Stillmeadow, 800 Stillwater Rd. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

Middle Schools 

• Cloonan, 11 W. North St. (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
• Dolan, 51 Toms Rd. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Rippowam, 381High Ridge Rd. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)

Community-Based Organizations and Programs 

• Yerwood Center, 90 Fairfield Ave. (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
• Lathon Wider (South End Community Center) back playground area, 137 Henry St. (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Community-Based Organizations and Programs 

• Chester Addison Center, 245 Selleck St. (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• Trailblazer (Domus), 83 Lockwood Ave. (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
• B1C , 75 Selleck St. (9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.)

Community-Based Organizations and Programs

• Lathon Wider (South End Community Center) Back parking lot, 137 Henry Street (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Please note: Supper meals are only available at the school distribution locations on Mondays and Fridys. Supper meals are not available at community distribution locations. In accordance with state guidelines:

• meals can only be distributed to parents or guardians of eligible children (18 or younger) 
• duplicate meals cannot be distributed to any child (families should not go to multiple locations in the same day to receive meals)

Safe Food Handling Reminder:

• The Grab & Go meals contain perishable items that must be kept cold or consumed within 30 minutes of pick-up.
• Perishable food should be stored in a refrigerator at 40 degrees or below.
• Perishable foods received and refrigerated within 30 minutes may last 3-5 days – please check and follow any “use by” dates on all milk and dairy products.
• Please discard dairy or meat products that are not refrigerated within 1 hour of pick-up.

Free Summer Meals Available in Stamford
The Stamford Public Schools announces its participation in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Under the SFSP, nutritious meals are provided free of charge to children 18 years and under at the following sites:

All sites serve breakfast & lunch meals, Monday Wednesday & Friday
Meal service dates 6/29/2020 – 8/28/2020

Chester Addison Community Center, 245 Selleck St., 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lathon Wider Community Center, 137 Henry St. (playground area), 11:30 a.m. – 1:00p.m.

Yerwood Center, 90 Fairfield Ave., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Trailblazers (DOMUS), 83 Lockwood Ave., 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Building 1 Community, 75 Selleck St., 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Rogers International School, 102 Blachley Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Julia A. Stark School, 398 Glenbrook Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Stillmeadow School, 800 Stillmeadow Ave.,10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Hart School, 61 Adams Ave., 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Dolan Middle School, 51 Toms Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Cloonan Middle School, 11 West North St., 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Rippowam Middle School, 381 High Ridge Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Read more

SPS Participates in Seamless Summer Food Program

Through Chartwells Dining Services Children and Teens 18 and Younger Will Receive Free Meals During the Summer
The Stamford Public Schools announces its participation in the federally funded Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Under the SFSP, nutritious meals are provided free of charge to children 18 years and under at the following sites:

All sites serve breakfast & lunch meals, Monday Wednesday & Friday
Meal service dates 6/29/2020 – 8/28/2020

• Chester Addison Community Center, 245 Selleck St., 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Lathan Wider Community Center, 137 Henry St., 11:30 a.m. – 1:00p.m.
• Yerwood Center, 90 Fairfield Ave., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Trailblazers (DOMUS), 83 Lockwood Ave., 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Building 1 Community, 75 Selleck St., 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Rogers International School, 102 Blachley Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Julia A. Stark School, 398 Glenbrook Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Stillmeadow School, 800 Stillmeadow Ave.,10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Hart School, 61 Adams Ave., 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Dolan Middle School, 51 Toms Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Cloonan Middle School, 11 West North St., 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Rippowam Middle School, 381 High Ridge Rd., 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Please note – the above locations, serving times, and dates are all subject to change at any time. The most current site information available can be found at www.stamfordpublicschools.org

Persons interested in receiving more information should contact:

Stamford Public Schools
888 Washington Blvd. 
Stamford, CT   
203-977-1177

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 
(1)    mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW 
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or 
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Read more

Attention Stamford families:
As of March 16th, Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with students in grades K-12 and/or college who do not have a Spectrum broadband subscription already. For more details as well as the number to enroll, please click here. 

If you are still looking for free internet, call (866) 200-9522 for Altice USA.

 

• World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Myth busters 
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Prevention Fact Sheet: "What to Do If You Are Sick"
• CDC: "Stigma and Resilience"
• Locations with Levels 2 or 3 Travel Health Notices
• CDC Coronavirus Page
• CDC: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
• NPR: "Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus"
• NASP: "Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource"
• NYT Parenting: "How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus"
• "CVS Health Looking to Hire 50,000 More Workers Amid Coronavirus Outbreak"
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