Use the links below to view Tech Valley High School’s reopening plan. If you need assistance accessing any parts of this plan, please contact jlaz@techvalleyhigh.org.
FAQs
Get answers to all your questions regarding Tech Valley High School’s reopening here.
Introduction
The plan outlined here is for the reopening of Tech Valley High School for the 2020-2021 school year.
Communication/Family & Community Engagement
Tech Valley High School remains committed to communicating all elements of this reopening plan to students, parents and guardians, staff and visitors.
Learn more about communication/family & community engagement
View the TVHS reopening community forum
Health & Safety
The health and safety of our students, our staff and their families is our top priority. We want students and employees to feel comfortable and safe, returning to school campuses.
Learn more about health & safety
Facilities
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection in the school, facilities operations will be geared toward meeting social distancing requirements and cleaning frequently touched spaces regularly.
Child Nutrition
School meals will continue to be available to all students, including those attending school in-person and those learning remotely.
Learn more about child nutrition
Transportation
The students will follow the transportation guidelines of their home school district. Tech Valley High School will stagger entry to and exit from the building. Social Distancing during arrival and dismissal will be enforced.
Social-Emotional Well-Being
Tech Valley High School has made available resources and referrals to address mental health, behavioral, and emotional needs of students, faculty, and staff when school reopens for in-person instructions.
Learn more about social-emotional well-being
School Schedules
Based on the size of our classrooms and building, we are planning to reopen school on a hybrid schedule that would allow half of our student body to attend classes in person, in socially-distanced cohort “pods,” and the other half of our student body to participate in synchronous remote learning.
Learn more about school schedules
School Activities
Culture Clubs including GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance), SOCA (Students of Color Alliance), and Student Government will continue to operate remotely. Tech Valley High School is planning to support Service Club by offering Community Service Opportunities that all students can participate in remotely in order to meet their 25-hour annual requirement for service.
We are also planning to conduct some activity clubs through remote means. Advisory and any All-School Meetings will be remote.
Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism
Students who attend classes in the building will be logged as present for the day via homeroom attendance in the School Management System. Students who are attending remote synchronous classes will have attendance logged by the teacher at the beginning of each instructional period via classroom attendance in the School Management System. Students who show chronic absenteeism (10% or more) will be contacted frequently by staff via e-mail, phone, and certified letter.
Technology and Connectivity
In support of remote learning and our school philosophy Tech Valley High School will and have always made computer devices available to students and teachers.
Learn more about technology and connectivity
Teaching and Learning
As we enter the new school year, teachers will be encouraged to spend time building relationships, supporting students with the transition back to school, and teaching social distancing etiquette at developmentally appropriate levels.
Learn more about teaching and learning
Special Education
Special Education services will continue in both hybrid and remote learning environments. Special Education teachers have been scheduled for inclusion support in core classes in addition to Resource Room periods (ACE) daily.
Learn more about Special Education
Bilingual Education and World Languages
Tech Valley High School will follow the required instructional units of study to all ELLs should be provided based on their most recently measured English language proficiency level during in-person or hybrid instruction.
Learn more about bilingual education and world languages
Staff
Pursuant to Education Law 3012-d, each school district and BOCES must fully implement its currently approved APPR plans in each school year
Teacher and Principal Evaluation System
Pursuant to Education Law 3012-d, each school district and BOCES must fully implement its currently approved APPR plans in each school year. All teachers and principals will continue to be evaluated pursuant to Tech Valley High School approved APPR plan.
Certification, Incidental Teaching and Substitute Teaching
All teachers will hold valid and appropriate certificates for teaching assignment, except where otherwise allowable under the Commissioner’s regulations (e.g., incidental teaching) or education law.
Resources
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Coronavirus web page
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Frequently Asked Questions – Prevention
CDC Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
CDC Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
New York State Department of Health Coronavirus web page
http://www.nysed.gov/reopening-schools/social-emotional-learning
NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline, call 1-888-364-3065 for information about Coronavirus
Family and Student Resources:
- Mental Health COVID-19 Support Line: 518-269-6634 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days/week)
- Mobile Crisis through Northern Rivers: 518-292-5499
- United Way: Dial 211
- Food Pantries of the Capital District: 518-458-1167