April 3, 2020 

Dear Griffin Parent or Guardian,

Today, we began our first official day of virtual learning. Your children’s teachers worked hard creating meaningful and relevant lessons by teacher and team they have grown to appreciate. We continue to refine our virtual school to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students.

This week our administrative team spent a great deal of time meeting with teachers, teaching assistants, department representatives (TCs), and PPS staff, in piecing together an on-line school structure with supports that resembles the school structure we currently have in place. There are a lot of moving parts and this takes time to fully duplicate. I appreciate your patience as we continue our journey forward.

I know your children miss their teachers and friends and we miss them, as well. There is more work and I am confident we will meet these challenges as we move ahead. For now, the immediate goal is for our students to feel completely comfortable with the on-line paradigm of teaching and learning.

If you have not done so already, I recommend visiting the District’s website at https://www.wappingersschools.org/​. The website contains a great deal of valuable information. I also want to bring your attention to the following link:https://sites.google.com/wcsdny.org/parent-resource-website/homeThis link will bring you to a variety of parent resources for digital learning. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you and be safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steven H. Shuchat

Principal, Van Wyck Junior High School

Van Wyck Mission Statement

Values lifelong learning
Welcomes diversity
Judgement free
Highly professional; harmonious environment
Student-centered

Growing responsible members of our community
Responsive to and respectful of all needs
Integrated and standards-based instruction
Focused on building community
Forward thinking
Innovative ideas
Network of support
Strong leadership