As I’m sure you are all now aware, Governor Cuomo announced on Friday that New York State schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. Even if this news was not entirely unexpected, I know many of you, myself included, are feeling a sense of loss. Although we will not all be together on the Byron-Bergen campus again this year, schools are not closed. Our buildings are closed, but our school community is up and running and we are committed to getting every student through to June.

There have been many questions since the Governor’s announcement and we are working on the answers. I cannot address many of them yet, but here are a few things I can say:

=         Meal distribution will continue through the end of the academic year.

=         Students’ personal items will be returned on a day and time to be announced.

=         Our School Counselors are available to support students struggling with the closure.

=         Our entire team of teachers and staff are working to ensure students continue to learn and have the attention and support necessary to succeed.

I know many students and families are anxious to know the District’s plans for graduation. No final decision will be made until after Governor Cuomo releases guidelines for reopening on May 15th. Thank you for your patience while we await this additional information to make the best possible decision for our graduating seniors.

This is a year that we will look back on for the rest of our lives. There will always be sadness at what was lost but, in time, I believe we will be amazed at everything that was achieved. In a time of need, our community stepped up to stay safe, stay connected, and stay Byron-Bergen strong. I have said it many times, but I am extremely proud to count myself as a member of this extraordinary district.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Take care of each other.
#BBStrong

Mickey Edwards
Byron-Bergen Central School District Superintendent