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Fire Forces School In Hudson Valley To Switch To Remote Learning Fire Forces School In Hudson Valley To Switch To Remote Learning
Fire Forces School In Hudson Valley To Switch To Remote Learning A Hudson Valley school was forced to go remote after a fire caused damage and left the building without electricity, officials announced. In Rockland County, the Lime Kiln Elementary School in Suffern transitioned to its distance learning model on Monday, Jan. 31 following a weekend fire that sparked in a boiler room from several electrical panels. School officials said that they are working with Orange & Rockland Utilities to address the issue and return electricity to the building while developing a timeline for repairs. “Students are to log on to Schoology for instructions from thei…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: School In Westchester Goes Remote Due To Outbreak Of Cases COVID-19: School In Westchester Goes Remote Due To Outbreak Of Cases
Covid-19: School In Westchester Goes Remote Due To Outbreak Of Cases Another school in Westchester was forced to go remote as the number of new COVID-19 infections continues to rise among students and staff. In Mount Vernon, district officials announced that the Lincoln Elementary School was going remote temporarily due to an outbreak of the infection as the virus spreads across the region. Related story - COVID-19: New School District In Hudson Valley Goes Remote Due To Increase In Cases The move comes as many districts in the Hudson Valley have been forced to transition to distance learning models as New York contends with the holiday surge of the virus. …

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: New School District In Hudson Valley Goes Remote Due To Increase In Cases COVID-19: New School District In Hudson Valley Goes Remote Due To Increase In Cases
Covid-19: New School District In Hudson Valley Goes Remote Due To Increase In Cases Students in a Hudson Valley school district will not be returning to the classroom for the rest of the calendar year as the holiday COVID-19 spike continues to plague the region. In Dutchess County, the Millbrook Central School District announced that it will be transitioning to its distance learning model beginning on Friday, Dec. 17, through Friday, Dec. 23 as it heads into its holiday break. Schools Superintendent Laura Mitchell said that parents should be aware of the outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the area, and to watch out for the development of any symptoms amongst children. The tran…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Hudson Valley High School Goes Remote Amid Rise In Cases COVID-19: Hudson Valley High School Goes Remote Amid Rise In Cases
Covid-19: Hudson Valley High School Goes Remote Amid Rise In Cases A Hudson Valley high school will be transitioning to its distance learning model for the rest of the year due to an unsettling rise in the number of new COVID-19 cases among students and staff. In Putnam County, district officials in Carmel announced that they would be closing the high school through the rest of the year, with the intention to reopen to in-person learning when Winter Break is over on Monday, Jan. 3. Classes were originally slated to be held in person through Thursday, Dec. 23. The holiday break for students will still take place Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31, as sche…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Two Westchester Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status Two Westchester Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status
Two Westchester Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status Some schools in the Hudson Valley have earned top marks in 2021 by being recognized with National Blue Ribbon status. US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced 325 schools across the country were recognized for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among students. In the Hudson Valley, a pair of schools in Westchester were among those designated as National Blue Ribbon recipients: Briarcliff High School in Briarcliff Manor; Pleasantville High School in Pleasantville. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed a…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Sewage Contamination Leads To Closure Of High School In Westchester Sewage Contamination Leads To Closure Of High School In Westchester
Sewage Contamination Leads To Closure Of High School In Westchester Students at a Westchester high school will be displaced for at least a month after suffering water damage and contamination from sewer water that backed up into the building during the recent round of storms. It could take until November for the New Rochelle High School to reopen after substantial damage was found following Tropical Depression Ida, which wreaked havoc on the city and region last week. Officials said during a remote town hall meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8 that the plan moving forward is to seal off the areas hit hardest by the storm - the library, athletic, and pool areas - …

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: HS Football Player Dies By Suicide After Leaving Note Saying He Felt Isolated COVID-19: HS Football Player Dies By Suicide After Leaving Note Saying He Felt Isolated
Covid-19: HS Football Player Dies By Suicide After Leaving Note Saying He Felt Isolated A 16-year-old high school football player in New England who died by suicide left behind a note saying he felt isolated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Spencer Smith, of Brunswick, Maine, was having trouble coping with feeling isolated, his father, Jay Smith, told WMTW-TV in Portland, Maine.  Jay Smith started speaking out after Spencer's death on Friday, Dec. 4 so other families know the toll the pandemic is taking on kids. Spencer kept busy during the summer regularly working out in preparation for the football season. But a shift to flag football only meant Spencer, a lineman, wou…

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by Joe Lombardi
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COVID-19: New Cases Lead To Closure, Quarantines At Irvington UFSD COVID-19: New Cases Lead To Closure, Quarantines At Irvington UFSD
Covid-19: New Cases Lead To Closure, Quarantines At Irvington Ufsd The confirmation of new positive COVID-19 cases at a school district in Westchester has resulted in the closure of in-person learning at one school and quarantines for some students and staffers at another. Irvington Union Free School District Superintendent Kristopher Harrison made the announcement late Sunday afternoon, Dec. 6 in an email to the community. The two new cases were confirmed at Irvington High School and Dows Lane Elementary School. Due to the impact on staffing and school operations, Dows Lane Elementary School will be closed for in-person learning for two weeks. …

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
COVID-19: Westchester School District To Remain Remote Longer, After Staffer Tests Positive COVID-19: Westchester School District To Remain Remote Longer, After Staffer Tests Positive
Covid-19: Westchester School District To Remain Remote Longer, After Staffer Tests Positive A Westchester school district will continue learning remotely at least a little longer to allow proper time to test students and staff for COVID-19 after being designated as one of the state's "yellow zone" micro-clusters."  Related story - COVID-19: Maps Released For Newly Added Cluster Zones In Area New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero announced that the district would remain on all-virtual learning through Wednesday, Dec. 9, at which point elementary and middle school students will return to a hybrid model in two phases. The news comes a day after the district repo…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Westchester School District Goes All-Virtual Due To Staffing Shortage COVID-19: Westchester School District Goes All-Virtual Due To Staffing Shortage
Covid-19: Westchester School District Goes All-Virtual Due To Staffing Shortage Another Westchester school district is going remote after learning of new positive cases that caused a staffing shortage. Bronxville Schools Superintendent Roy Montesano said that because of a rise in cases and the shortened week due to the Thanksgiving break, all students would be switching to their distance learning plan beginning on Monday, Nov. 23. Montesano said that a staff member at the elementary school and a high school student both tested positive for the virus, leading to an abundance of classmates and staff members being forced to temporarily quarantine. “Our ability to adequa…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: New School District In Westchester Going All-Virtual Due To Cases COVID-19: New School District In Westchester Going All-Virtual Due To Cases
Covid-19: New School District In Westchester Going All-Virtual Due To Cases The New Rochelle school district has become the latest in Westchester to transition to all-virtual learning through the rest of the month. New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero issued a notice on Thursday, Nov. 19 advising parents that the entire district - aside from a cohort of special education classes - will revert to its full distance learning model beginning on Friday, Nov. 20. Marrero said that students will continue remote learning through at least Thursday, Dec. 3. 
“We have made this decision in consultation with the Westchester County Department of Health because a la…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: School District In Hudson Valley Pauses In-Person Learning Till Next Year COVID-19: School District In Hudson Valley Pauses In-Person Learning Till Next Year
Covid-19: School District In Hudson Valley Pauses In-Person Learning Till Next Year A Hudson Valley school district is taking a “holiday pause” and will transition to distance learning for the rest of the calendar year due to COVID-19. The North Rockland Central School District announced over the weekend that it will be halting in-person learning beginning on Monday, Nov. 23 before returning to its hybrid instruction that was scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19. Of North Rockland's eight schools, three — North Rockland High School and West Haverstraw and Stony Point elementary schools — have already been forced to temporarily shift to all-remote learning due to positive C…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Five Staffers, Students, Quarantined After Positive Case In Westchester School COVID-19: Five Staffers, Students, Quarantined After Positive Case In Westchester School
Covid-19: Five Staffers, Students, Quarantined After Positive Case In Westchester School Some classes will have to be held remotely at a Westchester school after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Interim New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero announced that the district received confirmation that a staffer at Henry Barnard Early Childhood Center tested positive for the virus and had been in contact with three “Cohort B” classes. The staff member was last in the building on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Friday, Nov. 6. Marrero said that the students and five staff members from those classes have been traced back to the exposed person and have been notified and quar…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: School In Westchester Goes Remote Due To Number Of Quarantines COVID-19: School In Westchester Goes Remote Due To Number Of Quarantines
Covid-19: School In Westchester Goes Remote Due To Number Of Quarantines A staffing shortage at a Northern Westchester school due to COVID-19 has forced a transition to distance learning for the rest of the week. Bedford Schools Superintendent Joel Adelberg issued a notice to the community this week after learning that multiple students and staff members at Fox Lane Middle School will be forced to temporarily quarantine after potentially being exposed to the virus. In response, Fox Lane Middle School will switch to remote learning from Tuesday, Nov. 10 through Friday, Nov. 13, with students returning to the classroom on Monday, Nov. 16. During the quarantine, Ad…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: New Staff Member At Westchester School Tests Positive, Five Classes Exposed COVID-19: New Staff Member At Westchester School Tests Positive, Five Classes Exposed
Covid-19: New Staff Member At Westchester School Tests Positive, Five Classes Exposed A Westchester middle school was forced to transition to remove learning after as many as five classes may have been exposed to the virus last week. Interim New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero announced that a staff member at Albert Leonard Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19 and was last in the building on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Marrero said that through contact tracing, at least seven teachers and five “Cohort A” classes were potentially exposed, and have been instructed to quarantine. He noted that students in “Cohort B” will not require quarantine. Since the pandemic …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: School In Irvington Extends Closure After Positive Case COVID-19: School In Irvington Extends Closure After Positive Case
Covid-19: School In Irvington Extends Closure After Positive Case A school in the Hudson Valley has extended its closure after a positive case of COVID-19. Dows Lane Lane Elementary School, located in Westchester County in Irvington-on-Hudson, was closed for in-person learning Friday, Oct. 2.  All Dows Lane students participated in remote learning with all other Irvington schools open. Late Friday afternoon, Irvington Union Free School District Superintendent Dr. Kris Harrison announced Dows Lane will remain closed through Monday, Oct. 5. "The past 24 hours have certainly been stressful for some members of the Irvington UFSD family,"…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: School District In Westchester Announces Reopening Plans After Large Parties COVID-19: School District In Westchester Announces Reopening Plans After Large Parties
Covid-19: School District In Westchester Announces Reopening Plans After Large Parties A school district in Westchester County has announced reopening plans after a large number of students attended parties. Pelham Public School District Superintendent Dr. Cheryl H. Champ said in a letter to families and communities that she was made aware on Wednesday, Sept. 9 of the "parties in the woods for the last two evenings." She said "the number of students reported to have been at these gatherings potentially totals over 100 teens and video from these parties shows students engaging in risky behavior, failing to practice physical distancing, and not wearing masks or face c…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: School District In Westchester Postpones In-Person Learning Due To Large Parties COVID-19: School District In Westchester Postpones In-Person Learning Due To Large Parties
Covid-19: School District In Westchester Postpones In-Person Learning Due To Large Parties A school district in Westchester County has postponed the start of in-person learning after becoming aware of a large number of students attending parties. Pelham Public School District Superintendent Dr. Cheryl H. Champ said in a letter to families and communities that she was made aware on Wednesday, Sept. 9 of the "parties in the woods for the last two evenings." She said "the number of students reported to have been at these gatherings potentially totals over 100 teens and video from these parties shows students engaging in risky behavior, failing to practice physical distanci…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Another Employee Tests Positive At School District In Westchester COVID-19: Another Employee Tests Positive At School District In Westchester
Covid-19: Another Employee Tests Positive At School District In Westchester Another school staffer in Westchester has tested positive for COVID-19, this time on the eve of the first day of classes. The employee in the Mount Vernon School District confirmed the case on Wednesday, Sept. 9, as classes are set to begin remotely on Thursday, Sept. 10. It's the second COVID-19 case involving a staff member in a Westchester school district. Earlier story - COVID-19: Staffer Tests Positive At School In Yonkers District officials said they received confirmation of the positive test last week, the employee has been isolated, and are working with the county Health Departmen…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: SUNY New Paltz Students Test Positive After Pickup Basketball Games, Some Quarantined COVID-19: SUNY New Paltz Students Test Positive After Pickup Basketball Games, Some Quarantined
Covid-19: SUNY New Paltz Students Test Positive After Pickup Basketball Games, Some Quarantined Two more students have tested positive for COVID-19 following off-campus pickup basketball games among SUNY New Paltz students that's put administrators on edge and led to the quarantine of 12 students, bringing the total number of positive cases up to three.  According to the college's website, the two students tested positive for the virus this week -- and one has already recovered.  The two students were reportedly in contact with the first SUNY New Paltz COVID case, which was announced by the college on Thursday, Aug. 27.  The first student to test positive had reportedl…

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by Christina Coulter
Schools
COVID-19: One Of Largest School Districts In Hudson Valley Shifts To Fully Remote Start COVID-19: One Of Largest School Districts In Hudson Valley Shifts To Fully Remote Start
Covid-19: One Of Largest School Districts In Hudson Valley Shifts To Fully Remote Start One of the largest school districts in the Hudson Valley is reversing course and now plans to begin the year fully remotely after planning for a hybrid model to kick off the academic year due to potential staffing shortages. The Lakeland Board of Education announced that educators will be teaching students remotely when it kicks off the school year on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Lakeland Central School District enrolls students from both Northern Westchester (Yorktown, Cortlandt, and Somers ) and Putnam County (Carmel, Philipstown, and Putnam Valley). Its district office is in the hamlet of Shru…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19 'New Normal' For Schools: NY Finalizing Fall Options COVID-19 'New Normal' For Schools: NY Finalizing Fall Options
Covid-19 'New Normal' For Schools: NY Finalizing Fall Options When schools potentially reopen their doors for classes in New York come the fall, they could have a very different look for students and staff. The New York State Education Department and Board of Regents has launched a “school reopening task force” comprised of educators statewide as New York recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that forced the state to transition to a “distance learning” model. Related story - COVID-19: Have Plans Ready For The 'New Normal,' Cuomo Tells NY School Districts That task force held its first meeting this week, on Monday, June 15, as i…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Will Hybrid Education Be New Normal For School Districts, Colleges? COVID-19: Will Hybrid Education Be New Normal For School Districts, Colleges?
Covid-19: Will Hybrid Education Be New Normal For School Districts, Colleges? Some colleges and schools are making plans to adopt a hybrid education model that involves a combination of in-class and distance learning methods amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. When the outbreak arrived in mid-March, most schools at all levels were forced to concentrate their focus on remotely educating students for the remainder of the academic year. As students, parents, and educators begin planning for the fall semester, many will be using lessons learned during the pandemic to form the hybrid model. Under hybrid learning plans, students will have the option to t…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: NY Finalizing Options For What Schools Will Look Like In Fall COVID-19: NY Finalizing Options For What Schools Will Look Like In Fall
Covid-19: NY Finalizing Options For What Schools Will Look Like In Fall When schools potentially reopen their doors for classes in New York come the fall, they could have a very different look for students and staff. The New York State Education Department and Board of Regents has launched a “school reopening task force” comprised of educators statewide as New York recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that forced the state to transition to a “distance learning” model. Related story - COVID-19: Have Plans Ready For The 'New Normal,' Cuomo Tells NY School Districts That task force held its first meeting this week, on Monday, June 15, …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: NY Schools, Colleges Will Remain Closed Through End Of Academic Year COVID-19: NY Schools, Colleges Will Remain Closed Through End Of Academic Year
Covid-19: NY Schools, Colleges Will Remain Closed Through End Of Academic Year New York schools and colleges will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Cuomo announced that he was extending the original May 15 schools shutdown through the rest of the academic year as a precaution to help stop the spread of the virus. A determination on summer school programs is expected by the end of May, Cuomo said. “Given the situations and precautions that would have to be put in place to open schools with new protocols, we decided to close schools for the rest of the year,” Cuomo said. “How do …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: School Closures Should Be Regional Decision, Westchester County Executive Says COVID-19: School Closures Should Be Regional Decision, Westchester County Executive Says
Covid-19: School Closures Should Be Regional Decision, Westchester County Executive Says Westchester County Executive George Latimer believes that the choice of re-opening schools amid the novel coronavirus outbreak should be a regional, not local decision, factoring in neighboring states and counties. Last month, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order that required that all schools statewide remain closed through at least Wednesday, April 15. He and his aides are expected to then evaluate that situation and make a new determination about whether schools can reopen or will be closed for a longer stretch. “Public education is very important to all of us,” Cuomo sai…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: State Orders Schools To Cancel Spring Recess, Continue Remote Learning COVID-19: State Orders Schools To Cancel Spring Recess, Continue Remote Learning
Covid-19: State Orders Schools To Cancel Spring Recess, Continue Remote Learning School districts in New York have been instructed to forego traditional spring recess and continue distance learning as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to plague the state. With schools statewide shut down through at least Wednesday, April 15 due to the virus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order requiring that remote teaching continues to that date. The governor said that districts that fail to provide instruction on all weekdays through April 15, including scheduled vacation days, could potentially lose state aid. It is unclear what school districts will do rega…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: New York Schools Will Stay Closed At Least Two More Weeks, Cuomo Says COVID-19: New York Schools Will Stay Closed At Least Two More Weeks, Cuomo Says
Covid-19: New York Schools Will Stay Closed At Least Two More Weeks, Cuomo Says As the number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continues to climb in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that schools statewide will remain closed for another two weeks. Initially, Cuomo had initially issued an order for schools to be closed through Wednesday, April 1, at which point he and his aides would reassess the situation. As the statewide total of COVID-19 cases reached 44,635 as of Friday, March 27, Cuomo announced that schools would be closed for at least an additional two weeks, though Wednesday, April 15, at which point they will again see where they stand in the fight ag…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: New Rochelle School Board President Tests Negative COVID-19: New Rochelle School Board President Tests Negative
Covid-19: New Rochelle School Board President Tests Negative Days after the school superintendent in the Westchester city at the epicenter of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak reported she was diagnosed positive, the district’s Board of Education president has tested negative. On Saturday, March 21, New Rochelle City School District Schools Superintendent Laura Feijoo announced that she had tested positive for the virus. On Tuesday, March 24, the district announced that Board of Education President Amy Moselhi has tested negative for the virus. Earlier story: New Rochelle School District Superintendent Tests COVID-19 Positive The district sa…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: New Rochelle Schools Launches Distance Learning Plan COVID-19: New Rochelle Schools Launches Distance Learning Plan
Covid-19: New Rochelle Schools Launches Distance Learning Plan The New Rochelle School District, which is at the heart of the COVID-19 outbreak in Westchester, has outlined its plans to introduce students to its district learning plan. All school buildings district-wide will be closed through Wednesday, March 25, “but learning must continue,” Superintendent Laura Feijoo said in a note to parents.  Students will be utilizing Google classrooms, Chromebooks and other technology resources to receive education services. “It is imperative that the district continue our commitment to excellent education,” the superintendent wrote. “With collaboration fr…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
SUNY, CUNY Schools Move To 'Distance Learning' Amid Coronavirus Concerns SUNY, CUNY Schools Move To 'Distance Learning' Amid Coronavirus Concerns
SUNY, CUNY Schools Move To 'Distance Learning' Amid Coronavirus Concerns The coronavirus outbreak will force SUNY and CUNY schools to adopt a new policy of “distance learning,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced. Cuomo announced that beginning on Thursday, March 19, all SUNY and CUNY schools are transitioning in an effort to help reduce density on college campuses to curb the spread of COVID-19. “Both systems will be doing that,” Cuomo said. “CUNY will help reduce the density in New York City, and SUNY will help keep the density in downstate New York, including in Purchase, Westbury and Stony Brook.” Related story: COVID-19: SUNY, CUNY Students Studying Abr…

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by Zak Failla