Hancock Central School Reopening Plan
“Protecting the health, safety, and welfare of all of our stakeholders are and always will be our top priorities when reopening school in the face of COVID-19,” said Hancock Central School (HCS) Superintendent Terrance Dougherty.
The United States is dealing with its most serious health crisis in more than 100 years. In the midst of this health crisis, our students need to be educated.
Tightly aligned to CDC, NYSDOH, NYSED and NYSPHSAA guidelines, HCS reopened on September, 10 with many policies and procedures in place that are quite different from a typical first day back.
As per the New York State Department of Education mandates, schools in New York State could implement one of three plans: (1) In-Person: All students return to school for in-building instruction; (2) Remote: All students stay home for digital/virtual instruction; (3) Hybrid: Combination of In-Person and Remote instruction.
The HCS district is utilizing a Hybrid Plan with students in grades PreK-6 attending school in-person each day on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Students in grades 7-12 will be assigned to either Group A or Group and are expected to attend school in-person on Monday and Tuesday OR Thursday and Friday. Students in grades 7-12 will remotely follow their daily class schedule on the off-days when they are not attending in-person instruction.
This plan will change based on COVID-19 spread, developing health conditions, state and county requirements, and practical experience with the plan. It is possible that all three learning scenarios may need to be utilized throughout the school year. “Change is the only constant,” said Dougherty. “We must remain flexible in our approach.” He emphasized that changes and updates will be communicated with immediacy.
As required by the New York State Department of Health the health and safety plan includes mandatory health screening for all staff, students, and visitors entering any school building; isolation protocol for any student or staff who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms upon or after arrival at school; and safety protocols for student transition between classes, controlling student daily arrival and departure, and regular training for students and staff in established safety procedures.
This means maximizing social distancing, frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer, face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of spaces/surfaces.
Every student will be issued an iPad or Chrome book depending on grade level and the school district will provide Internet connection for any student without access. This may include increasing frequency of attendance to four days per week or acquiring Internet access from an alternative location.
“The execution of this plan has been outstanding. Our staff, students and community are to be commended,” said Dougherty.
For more information about the Wildcat Reset, visit HCSD’s School Reopening page on-line at https://www.hancockstier.org/SchoolReopening.aspx.
New use of space. . . Some classes have been moved to alternative areas to adhere to safety protocols. Here, a fifth grade class receives instruction in the gymnasium. 
Music continues . . . band rehearsals are held in the auditorium where the vast space and soaring ceilings provide adequate ventilation and opportunity to practice social distancing. 
Smaller groups make social distancing in classrooms easier. Middle school students using their chrome books during class receive instruction 
Eerily Empty . . . What used to be a busy hub of activity is eerily empty. The high school library, a favorite place for upper class men to congregate, is largely unoccupied.