Coronavirus Updates

COVID-19 Announcements Archive

• May 1, 2020+

  Dear IAL Family,
  
  As you have probably heard, Governor Cuomo announced that New York State Virtual Learning will continue until the end of the 2019 - 2020 school year. This is not what we hoped for, but it is the thing that we need to do in order to ensure the safety of our students, families, and staff. We will continue to update families about the details of what this means for Inwood Academy’s continued virtual learning and end of school year events.
  
  Please continue to contact us with any questions you may have and use the links to additional resources that we have provided here on our website.
  
  
  

• April 6, 2020+

  Dear IAL Family,
  
  This afternoon, at the daily press conference, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the continuation and extension of “pause” (previous Executive Order) until April 29, 2020.
  
  In order to further promote the need for social distancing, school facilities will remain closed through April 29, 2020. We look forward to opening these facilities when the environment is safer at a later date.
  
  Also today, at the NYS Board of Regents meeting, Chancellor Rosa announced that the June Regents exams are canceled. Additional guidance on this matter will be released soon. Updates will be forwarded at that time. Based on this new information, IAL will be closed until April 29th. Phase 3 learning will begin on April 20th.
  
  

• March 23, 2020+

  Hello Families,
  
  We will continue to support our students in a Virtual Learning Format until April 17th.
  
  To support your child’s online learning experience, we will lend Chromebooks to our families. Priority will be given to students most in need, and all Chromebooks are granted on a temporary basis and will later need to be returned. There is a limit of one device per family. Please submit one form per student (if you have multiple children attending IAL). Please fill out the online survey by March 27th to request a Chromebook if you have not done so already. These will be made available on April 7th by appointment so please make sure to check back for an online survey.
  
  There will also be packets for April 6th - April 17th Packet 2 online survey available to families who still do not have internet access. These will also be available for families on April 7th.
  
  Remote Learning Device Request (DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 AT 11PM)
  
  PACKET #2 PICKUP REQUEST FORM (DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 AT 11PM)
  

• March 22, 2020+

  Hello Families,
  
  The original packets from March 18 to March 27, will have another distribution date of this Tuesday, March 24th, from 1:00-6:00 p.m. Families who did not pick up this past week or have decided packets are better for their children, can pick them up during this time. If you did not sign up for a packet the first time, please complete this Packet #1 Pickup Form before 11pm on Monday, March 23rd. If you do not fill out the form, you will not be able to pick up a packet on Tuesday, March 24th. We are here for you.
  
  If you have questions or need support, these are the Main Office numbers during this time: Middle School 845-213-6079; High School is 314-451-1938. You may also send an email to Kevin Garcia at kevin.garcia@ialcs.org.

• March 18, 2020+

  Middle School Principal Valerie Hoekstra reflects on Day 1 of remote learning:
  English - MS Day 1 video
  Español - MS Day 1 video

• March 17, 2020+

  Remote learning will begin tomorrow. Please access our instructions to families here (updated on March 23rd with the extension of remote learning):
  English - Virtual Learning Packet Instructions
  Español - Virtual Learning Packet Instructions
  
  High school students and their families may also watch these videos to learn more about what to expect tomorrow:
  English - Transition to online learning video
  Español - Transition to online learning video
  
  Read school closing FAQs from Tatiana Mahoney, Director of Family and Community Engagement in English and Español.
  FAQs

• March 16, 2020+

  Remote Learning
  
  This Wednesday, March 18, we will begin remote learning with all grades, and here are some different ways you can prepare:
  
  In addition to computers, tablets and phones, students can access Google classrooms from PS4 and Xbox One browsers.
  
  For families who don’t have internet service, Spectrum and Optimum are offering free service and setup for two months in certain areas. Please call 1-844-488-8398 (Spectrum) or 866-200-9522 (Optimum), ask for the sales department and give them your address to see if you qualify.
  
  If you don’t have any device with which you can access Google classrooms, please email jenny.pichardo@ialcs.org or text 347-501-1414 now so we can print a paper package for your child. You can pick up these packets from IAL tomorrow (Tuesday) between 3:00 and 6:00 pm.
  
  Grab and Go Meals
  
  If you are in need of breakfast and lunch this week, you can receive a free grab and go meal from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at any DOE district school location. Families can find their nearest school by visiting NYC DOE Find a School
  We will continue to post updates throughout the week on our website and social media channels as we work to meet growing needs in our community during this hard time.
  

• March 13, 2020+

  Dear IAL Families,
  
  In the last two weeks we have been part of a rapidly changing school environment. Due to the expanding nature of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we will be closing school to students. There will be no in person classes taking place as of Monday, March 16th. All classes will move to an online format as of Wednesday, March 18th and will continue this way until March 27th. Spring Break will start as planned on March 30th until April 3rd. Plan to have your child return to school on Monday, April 6th. Should anything change with the return date, we will inform families.
  On Wednesday, March 18th, students are expected to log on to their Google Classrooms and complete their daily assignments. If you are unable to provide internet access at home, you may opt into a paper format by stopping by IAL on Tuesday between 3 - 6pm. Please email jenny.pichardo@ialcs.org or text 347-501- 1414 to state that you will be making this choice so that we can have a packet ready for you.
  Monday and Tuesday next week will be Faculty Development Days for teachers to prepare for remote learning. The students are expected to start remote learning on Wednesday, March 18 at 9:00AM. Each day students will complete an assignment in every subject and teachers will grade assignments daily.
  How will we know what is expected of my child for online learning?
  

  • On Wednesday, students should log on to their google classrooms to receive assignments from their classroom teachers
  • Students will submit work daily for all courses
  • On Thursday, we will post on our website:
     A high-level overview of assignments due throughout this time.
     Staff will check in weekly with all families to answer questions and ensure students are completing their work.

  
  What is expected of families?
  

  • Learning outside the classroom will require students to work independently, and you, as parents, to hold them accountable.
  • You will need to set the habits and expectations clearly with your child, so they are set up for successful learning at home.
  • You will be provided with a number on Thursday to contact (call or text) your child’s teachers directly between 9am and 4pm.

  
  There will be no after school programming.
  We know this is going to pose a large challenge for everyone and truly appreciate your continued partnership. We will be supporting our families in many ways through this time. If you need any assistance for whatever reason beyond the academic aspects, please contact Tatiana Mahoney at tatiana.mahoney@ialcs.org or 646-906- 4111.
  Sincerely,
  Christina Reyes, Founder and CEO
  Inwood Academy for Leadership Charter School