Weekly Brief

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BOE Work Session updates

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BLM Curriculum document

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Report to Governor

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Report to Governor

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Report to Governor

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Report to Governor

Click here to download and print Dr. Cash's report to Governor Cuomo

Click here to download and print Dr. Cash's weekly brief

Click here to downlaod and print Dr. Cash's weekly brief

Click here to downlaod and print Dr. Cash's weekly report to Gov. Cuomo

Please click here to download and print this letter.

May 1st Weekly Brief

Dr. Cash's Report to the Governor

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE CONTACT: Tonya Harris April 28, 2020 9:00 am EST (202) 393-2427 or tharris@cgcs.org

Urban Schools Coalition Calls for Congress to Provide More Funding

For Public School Systems in Next Coronavirus Relief Bill

WASHINGTON, April 28 – The Council of the Great City Schools, the nation’s primary coalition of large urban public-school districts, urges Congress to approve new funding for local school systems in the next coronavirus supplemental appropriations bill.

In a letter to Capitol Hill, the organization calls on an additional federal allocation of $175 billion in Educational Stabilization Funds to be distributed to the local level through the Title I formula. The group also urges Congress to provide an additional $13 billion for the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), $12 billion in additional Title I program funding, $2.0 billion for E-Rate, and emergency infrastructure funds that include public schools.

The letter, signed individually by 62 big-city superintendents, asks federal lawmakers for financial support to help offset the unexpected costs districts are incurring in providing meal services to students and transforming from school-based to home-based learning in the wake of school closures. And as aggressive as schools have been in providing instruction at a distance, districts continue to need resources to provide electronic learning devices and internet connections to every child.

Because of declines in state and local revenues, significant revenue shortfalls are looming for local school systems, as well, with several big-city school districts projecting 15 to 25 percent cuts in overall revenues going into next school year. According to the Council, an estimated 20 percent loss in combined state and local revenues would likely result in some 275,000 teachers being laid off in big-city public school systems alone.

“With additional federal funds, America’s public schools will be able to add summer school, expand the school day after reopening in the fall, retain and stabilize our teaching force, address the needs of our most vulnerable students, narrow the digital divide, and have a fighting chance at salvaging the futures of millions of young people,” said the letter.

Press Release

Coronavirus Letter

April 20 - 24th Weekly Briefing

Dr. Cash's report to the Governor

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Click here for Dr. Cash's Weekly Briefing

Click here for Dr. Cash's Letter to Gov. Cuomo

Click here to read a letter from Principal Dixon

From New York State:

Governor Cuomo announced on Thursday, April 16, that he would extend New York State’s school shutdown until May 15, in coordination with several other states. Food and nutrition services, remote instruction, and childcare for essential health care workers will continue per all established protocols.

If a future executive order requires schools to remain closed beyond May 15, the Buffalo Public Schools will share that directive within our community. The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We will not return students or staff members to an unsafe environment.

Click here to download and print the letter from Dr. Cash.

Official Press Release from Erie County:

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Attached is Dr. Cash's weekly brief to the Buffalo community, as well as Dr. Cash's weekly report to Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Report to Governor

Weekly Briefing

Easter Break 2020 Memo from Dr. Cash:

April 8, 2020

Dear Buffalo Public Schools Community,

On March 27, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.11 in an effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This order initially required all schools to remain closed until April 15. On April 7, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.14 that now extends school closure until 11:59 PM on April 29, 2020, at which time the continued closure will be re-evaluated.

The order also requires that school districts continue alternative instructional options, distribution of meals and coordination of childcare to serve children of essential workers, and continue these services during any remaining vacation or snow days, including the upcoming BPS Spring Recess. Executive Order 202.14 dictates that the April 10 to 17 Spring Recess be implemented as follows:

The Buffalo Public Schools may pause Friday, April 10 and Monday, April 13, 2020, in observance of Easter religious days. Our State approved alternative instructional plan must continue during April 14 through April 17. Breakfast and lunch meal service has been distributed for this week and Monday, April 13, and will resume Wednesday, April 15, and continue on the usual M-W-F schedule at the 28 designated schools. We will also continue to follow our State approved plan to facilitate childcare for essential health care workers.

The District acknowledges and respects the religious days that are part of this upcoming period. While we are directed to continue alternative instructional options, no students or staff will be penalized for observing their religious holiday.

Please also note that the grades for the third-quarter marking period will not be finalized until April 30. In the interim, the District will work with the Buffalo Board of Education to develop a Resolution on the important matter of grading for the third and fourth marking periods for all students.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to all of our children and families during this unprecedented time.

Please be well.

Dr. Kriner Cash

Superintendent of Schools

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Dear Colleagues:

The Buffalo Public Schools may be “out” but we are certainly not down!  Our three big objectives in service to students is to continue to help them to – maintain and extend academic learning, eat nutritious meals, and engage in health and wellness activities daily.  Each week we build on what we put in place the week before through expanded internet access for households, expanded food distribution with more delivery options, and expanded best practices in health and wellness, as my Cabinet holds countless virtual meetings, both internally and with Big 5 Districts.