The following letter was sent to New Rochelle families by Superintendent Dr. Laura Feijóo on February 27, 2020

Dear Families,

There have been a number of questions about the recent warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for schools to prepare to protect against the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Our administrative team and Medical Director are closely monitoring the local and global situation. While no confirmed cases of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) have been confirmed in New York State, we have been notified by Mr. Latimer, Westchester County Executive, that there may be nine (9) suspected cases in Westchester. We must stay calm. We have a plan. Yesterday, we collaborated with principals to go over procedures in place in the school district to safeguard each other and our community from the spread of this and other diseases. The safety and security of our students is a top priority.

Collaborative planning has yielded the following plan in The City School District of New Rochelle to prevent the spread of disease:

Masks are available in health offices throughout the district to cover adults or students who have fever and are coughing when they come to the medical office. These masks will have to stay on until the individual has left the school.
Any student out for periods of time due to illness should contact the school to ensure access to ongoing curriculum and instruction.
Having handwashing facilities available throughout all of our buildings and ensuring that all soap dispensers are regularly refilled.
Providing a teaching segment on handwashing practices for students and staff in all buildings.
Increasing each school building’s disinfection program for cleaning student desks, horizontal surfaces and touch points such as doorknobs, drinking fountains, phone receivers and handrails.
We are asking anyone with fever and/or flu-like symptoms to stay home. Anyone who presents with fever and/or flu-like symptoms in our schools will be provided a mask, screened for a recent travel history and asked to go home. Students can only return to class after meeting with the school nurse upon their return to the building.
Reporting any at-risk patients and their clinical status to the Westchester County Department of Health.

The NYS Department of Health reports that while there is currently no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Click here for a video on proper handwashing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

We ask, as always, that children, staff or visitors with fever and severe cold or flu-like symptoms remain home until they feel better and are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Contact your medical provider if you have any questions.

For additional information about COVID-19, you may contact the NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline at 1-800-364-3065, or visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/. If you have questions, please call the health office at your school or Dr. Brooke Balchan, District Medical Director, at 914-576-4264.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Laura Feijóo

Superintendent

Message from the Principal

Dear Families,

I am excited and honored to lead this school as we move deeper into the 2019-2020 school year. Your child's education is our top priority. Middle school is a short stop on a long journey towards school success. Our commitment at Isaac E. Young is to provide a robust middle school learning experience in a caring environment that will empower students to see themselves as independent learners, problem solvers, innovative thinkers and next generation courageous leaders prepared to pursue their best life in a global society. We will encourage students to assert agency, to build positive peer relationships, to push their learning edge, to find and follow their voice, to resolve conflict in healthy and appropriate ways, and to take advantage of all that middle school offers.

High standards and expectations for every student in regard to academic performance, ownership of behavior, civic responsibility, and positive respectful interactions with others are paramount in our school. It is with pride that we hold these high standards and ask each of our students to commit to and hold themselves accountable to these expectations.

Our team is available to support families should you need assistance with anything related to your child's school success. Please feel free to contact a member of our leadership team, support staff, or teachers.

In partnership towards building a remarkable school to learn and grow,

Tawanda Robinson, Ed. D.

Learning at Home

Good afternoon IEYMS Families.

I hope you are well and that you have received the communications from the Superintendent of Schools regarding our Digital Learning Plan. During this time away from the school building, it is extremely important that students stay on track and focused on their learning as best as possible under the current circumstances. As a parent, I too am faced with the reality of maintaining structure and asking, what do I do now that schools are closed? Here are a couple of tips (Adapted from Today: Teaching your Children at Home) that can help ease this transition.

First, be clear about your expectations. Talk to your children about this 'new normal,' and communicate with them that while they may be at home temporarily, there is still school work that must be completed and submitted in a timely manner. The IEYMS teachers have already started posting work into their Google Classrooms. Second, create a daily home schedule or list of responsibilities with your child and stick to it as best as possible. This may include breakfast, lunch, breaks, opportunities for physical activity, and chores. Children should check their teachers Google Classroom everyday at the same time. If possible, set aside a specific work time. For example, designate 10:00-2:00 for learning. Also, set aside additional time for students to read, every day for at least 30 minutes. This could replace homework that students would normally complete in the afternoon.

Next, if space allows, help your child establish a quiet learning environment free of distractions. It could be a comfortable chair, the kitchen table, or another space. Students are use to changing classes, so allow them the flexibility to work in different spaces or areas of the home. It will be important for them to maintain their social connections. Allow some flexibility around appropriate social media spaces, talking to friends on the telephone, and online video game time as it might help students stay connected. Finally, as much as possible, continue to reassure children and ease their fears. Please remember, this time may cause anxiety for some students. Be patient and allow children to have some fun.

I will be available through email should you have questions or require additional support. You may also contact the assistant principals, Mr. Trujilio and Mr. Mackin as well as your child's school counselor. Be well!

In partnership,

Dr. Robinson

A Parent's Guide to Helping Kids During a Pandemic

This resource guide prepared by the IEYMS psychologists and social workers offers helpful strategies and tips to help navigate parenting during a pandemic.

Please click here: Report.pdf

Attendance

At Isaac, we want and need your children to be in school everyday. The impact of missing school can be detrimental to a child's outcomes. Across the country, more than 8 million students are missing so many days of school that they are at risk for school failure. "Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for reasons that are excused or unexcused can translate into third-graders unable to master reading, sixth-graders failing subjects and ninth-graders dropping out of high school" (Attendance Works, 2019).

We all want the best for our children. But sometimes, life happens. Children will get sick, there will be family emergencies, and children will most certainly have doctor's and dental appointments. We also understand, that sometimes these events are beyond our control. We ask that your child return to school with a note should they miss school due to an excused reason such as sickness, family emergency, inclement weather, or medical appointments. We ask that whenever possible, family vacations and travel be scheduled during the summer and school vacation times. Please contact the attendance office or your child's school counselor for more information.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MATTERS!

Visitor Policy

ALL VISITORS MUST ENTER THROUGH THE ENTRANCE FACING PELHAM ROAD

When visiting IEYMS, please enter the building through the entrance facing Pelham Road. Parking is available on the street or in the lower lot. Our handicapped entrance is located on the side of the building off of Centre Avenue. Please make sure you have picture identification. To promote an orderly and safe arrival and dismissal, staff will be unavailable for meetings between 8:15-8:35 and 2:45-3:25. We encourage you to contact the Main Office or the School Counseling Office to set up an appointment.

Academic Assistance

POWER UP!

Students if you need help with academics, homework, or would like some additional time to study, you should POWER UP! Before and after school and during your lunch period is your time to receive additional help with learning. Teachers are available to assist you. Make sure you check the teacher's extra help schedule.

New York State Assessment Dates - 2019-2020 School Year

New York Assessment	Assessment Dates	Make-Ups
Grades 3-8 English Language Arts	Wednesday, March 25 – Friday, March 27	Monday, March 30 –Wednesday, April 1
Grades 3-8 Mathematics	Tuesday, April 21 – Thursday, April 23	Friday, April 24 – Tuesday, April 28
NYSESLAT Speaking	Monday, April 6 – Friday, May 15	Make-Ups must be given within the testing window
NYSESLAT Listening, Reading, Writing	Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 15	Make-Ups must be given within the testing window
Grade 8 Science Performance Test	Monday, May 18 – Friday, May 29	Make-Ups must be given within the testing window
Grade 8 Science Written	Monday, June 1	Tuesday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 3

School Counseling Department

Middle school is an exciting yet challenging time for students, their parents and teachers. According to the American School Counselor Association, during this transition from childhood to adolescence, middle school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work; high levels of activity coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth. During the middle years, adolescents are searching for their own identity as they begin to grow more mature. At Isaac E. Young, the school counselors support students and families in the areas of academics, career and college readiness and social emotional development. School counselors are here as a resource for students. Please contact the school counseling office should you need assistance

Mrs. Flagstaff: School Counseling Office Secretary 914-576-4367

Mrs. Rodriguez: School Counselor

Mrs. Rhett: School Counselor

Mrs. Gabr: School Counselor

Mrs. Smith: School Counselor

School Announcements

2019–2020 School Year - New York State Assessments

2019–2020 School Year

Grades 3-8 English Language Arts: Wednesday, March 25 – Friday, March 27, Make Ups: Monday, March 30 –Wednesday, April 1

Grades 3-8 Mathematics: Tuesday, April 21 – Thursday, April 23, Make Ups: Friday, April 24 – Tuesday, April 28

NYSESLAT Speaking: Monday, April 6 – Friday, May 15, Make Ups: Make-ups must be given within the testing window

NYSESLAT Listening, Reading, Writing: Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 15, Make Ups: Make-ups must be given within the testing window

Grade 8 Science Performance Test: Monday, May 18 – Friday, May 29, Make Ups: Make-ups must be given within the testing window

Grade 8 Science Written: Monday, June 1, Make Up Dates: Tuesday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 3

Isaac E. Young Middle School
8th Annual Black History Month Celebration

8th Annual Black History Month Celebration

Celebrating Africa,

WABSE, Spoken Word and Art Exhibit, New Rochelle High School Rotunda,

Student Performances, New Rochelle High School Auditorium

Saturday, February 29th, 2020

Afternoon (Free): Food vendors, African Arts Vendors, Authors, Book Sellers, African drumming workshop, Planetarium shows, Games, face painting

Evening 6pm-7:30pm ($5 adults, $3 students): Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble, DJ SmithyBoy, Choruses, Dancers, Steppers, Actors, Singers
- Black History Month 2020-FINAL.pdf
Isaac E. Young Middle School
A Message from our IEY Health Office

All 7th graders must have an up to date State mandated physical. All 7th grade students please see the nurse with your physical forms.

Isaac E. Young Middle School
8th Grade Washington DC Trip 2020

8th Grade Washington DC Trip 2020

Trip Dates: April 29, 30, May 1, 2020

Trip ID#: 175586

Register Online at Worldstrides.com

or

Call:1-800-468-5899

mail Mr. Martino for more information: amartino@nredlearn.org

Isaac E. Young Middle School
Picture Day and Yearbooks are on Sale!

IEY Yearbooks are on sale for $35. Picture day is Monday, October 7th - Day 1 Gym Class & Tuesday, October 8th - Day 2 Gym Class. Please see attached flyers.
Isaac E. Young Middle School
Register for sports using "FamilyID"

If you are interested in registering to participate on one of our athletic teams please see the attached "FAMILYID" form.
- FamilyID Middle School Intro Letter 2 25 19 Spanish 2.pdf
Isaac E. Young Middle School
IEY Exploring NYC Club

IEY Exploring NYC Club on a recent visit to the United Nations and Brooklyn Bridge
Isaac E. Young Middle School