Pine Bush Central School District

Dear Pine Bush Community, I am sorry to report that hybrid students in grades 7-12 will not be able to return for in-person instruction on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Students will remain on a 100% remote instructional model through Monday, Nov. 30, 2020 with hybrid students in grades 7-12 expected to return on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. We have received reports about multiple parties that were held this past weekend across the Pine Bush community. We learned of some students who ...gathered in large groups and did not wear masks or practice social distancing. Thus far, at least 10 high school students who attended one or more of these parties have tested positive for COVID-19. We are working with the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) to confirm these cases. If these reports of parties are accurate, this practice adversely impacts our ability to expand to in-person instruction, potentially leads to community spread, and poses a risk to our students, faculty, and staff. Once again, I ask that we observe gathering limits, wear masks, and practice social distancing during any gatherings. I am deeply concerned that some of our families are withholding information regarding positive cases which puts our whole community at risk. When a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, those exposed to the affected individual must quarantine for 14 days from the last exposure date. The OCDOH determines the individuals who need to quarantine. Understandably, the OCDOH requires stringent health and safety protocols to mitigate risks for all members of our learning community. Therefore, it is imperative that if your child tests positive, you must be honest with the contact tracers and provide the names of all of the individuals that your child had contact with in the 48 hours prior to the positive test results. Otherwise, it will be impossible to contain the spread. As this school year unfolds, the District is committed to safely addressing challenges, expanding successes, and increasing in-person learning if conditions permit. However, the safety of our faculty, staff, and students must always come first. See more

Dear Pine Bush Community, Over the past two weeks, the Pine Bush Central School District has been discussing Back to Play because we feel strongly that participating in athletics allows students to develop positive relationships with peers and coaches. Athletics also develops team building, improves communication skills, develops resilience and a strong work ethic, while improving physical fitness. Since COVID-19 has created many restrictions that require safety protocols a...Continue reading

The Town of Crawford PBA and police department are hosting a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Pine Bush High School and the Bullville Fire House. Get some treats while meeting members of the police department, the school resource officers, Pine Bush Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Bullville Fire Company and Pine Bush Fire Company. Drive your vehicle to either location, roll down your car window and get your treats! For more information, check out the Town of Crawford Police Facebook page or call 845-744-3300.

Over the past two days, the district and the Orange County Department of Health conducted simultaneous investigations into the first positive COVID-19 case at Circleville Elementary. As a result, we have learned about four additional positive cases and other possible direct contacts outside of school. Therefore, CES students will transition to all virtual learning starting tomorrow, Oct. 28, and return to school for hybrid learning on Tuesday, Nov. 10 (an A day). All CES ...staff will report to the building and conduct instruction from there since the other staff direct contacts have already been quarantined. The district also learned of two additional positive cases, one at PAK and one at CVMS. Both of those cases were already quarantining due to previous contact tracing. No other action is needed at this time for those buildings. I regret that I have to share this difficult news with you but wanted to keep all of you updated so that you are aware that we are dedicated to keeping everyone as safe as possible. Thank you. Acting Superintendent Donna Geidel

STARTING NOV. 2, PBHS STUDENTS CAN TAKE THEIR LEARNER PERMIT TEST RIGHT AT SCHOOL. Pine Bush High School students who are at least 16 and looking to get their learner permit have something to cheer about. While others have to make an appointment at the local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) and possibly wait months for that appointment, PBHS students can take their learner permit test right here at Pine Bush High School, thanks to Principal Aaron Hopmayer and School Resourc...e Officer Dan Boyd. Last year Dan came up with the idea that we should be certified to administer the tests, said Hopmayer. That way, our kids can take it right here in our offices. The procedure is the same, but without the wait time or much of the test anxiety. Both Hopmayer and Boyd applied to DMV, took the training and are certified to administer the testing. It didn’t happen last school year because of COVID-19 but Hopmayer and Boyd are ready to put this into place starting Nov. 2. Boyd said the process is the same as if the students were going to the DMV except they make an appointment with him or Hopmayer. Only one student is allowed to take the test with each of them at any one time. Boyd or Hopmayer would verify the student’s identity, age and residence with the same documents that are needed by DMV and enter them into the system. After verification, they would log on to the testing website through the DMV and take the test. There is no extra cost involved; all students would pay the same state fee as they would at DMV. The benefit here is a quicker wait time to actually take the test, said Boyd. And if they fail, they can sign up very quickly to take it again. No long wait time. Also, they are taking the test in a place in which they are familiar, Hopmayer added, helping them get rid of some test anxiety, if they have it. The test is available in both English and Spanish. For those with testing accommodations, there is an audio button so the test can be read aloud to them. Boyd, who is a Town of Crawford police officer, said he would help the students prepare by going over vehicle and traffic law in advance with them as part of their studying. The learners’ permit manual is online for students to study on their own. Hopmayer, though, views it another way. Yes, there are great benefits for our students and their parents by providing this service. In addition to that, it further reinforces the collaborative effort between our school district and the Town of Crawford Police Department. This is a great outreach and I hope many students take advantage of it. Anyone wishing to get more information about taking the learner permit test at the high school or to set up an appointment, contact Mr. Hopmayer or Officer Boyd via email at [email protected] or [email protected], or call Boyd at 845-744-2031, ext. 3184. See more

This is Mike Pacella, Assistant Superintendent for Business with an important announcement. Tonight, the Board of Education has approved a leave of absence for Tim Mains, Superintendent of Schools, commencing October 14, 2020. During the period of Mr. Mains’ absence, Donna Geidel, has agreed to return to the District, as Acting Superintendent, so that the District’s other central office assistant superintendents, myself and Amy Brockner, can focus our full attention on the myriad of responsibilities related to the District’s reopening plan. Thank you and have a good evening.