• September 15 Covid-19 Update

    Dear Homer Community, I am writing to let you know that we have two Homer Elementary School students who have tested positive for Covid-19.  We have worked with the Cortland County Health Department to identify the people that will need to quarantine due to these positive cases.     As a result, 22 Elementary students and 1 staff member will need to quarantine.  District staff have communicated with the students and staff member affected.  New York State contact tracers will also be calling to provide additional details about the length of quarantine.       This will not alter our student attendance schedule for the remainder of the week.  Pre-K through Grade 12 will run their regular schedule.     Take care and have a great evening. Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Wednesday, Sep 15 2021

  • September 13 Covid-19 Update

    Dear Homer Community, I am writing to let you know that we have one Homer Intermediate School student who has tested positive for Covid-19.  We have worked with the Cortland County Health Department to identify the people that will need to quarantine due to this positive case.     As a result, 1 additional Elementary School student will need to quarantine.  District staff has communicated with the student affected.  New York State contact tracers will also be calling to provide additional details about the length of quarantine.       This will not alter our student attendance schedule for this week.  Pre-K through Grade 12 will run their regular schedule. Thanks and have a great evening.   Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Monday, Sep 13 2021

  • September 10 Covid-19 Update

    Dear Homer Community,   I am writing to let you know that we have two Homer Elementary and two Homer Intermediate School students who have tested positive for Covid-19.  We have worked with the Cortland County Health Department to identify the people that will need to quarantine due to these positive cases.     As a result, 12 Elementary and 14 Intermediate students will need to quarantine.  District staff are in the process of communicating with the students affected. New York State contact tracers will also be calling to provide additional details about the length of quarantine.       This will not alter our student attendance schedule for next week.  Pre-K through Grade 12 will run their regular schedule.     Take care and have a great weekend.   Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Friday, Sep 10 2021

  • September 8 Covid-19 Update

    Dear Homer Community, I am writing to let you know that we have a Homer Elementary School student who has tested positive for Covid-19.  We have worked with the Cayuga County Health Department to identify the people that will need to quarantine due to this positive case.     As a result, 17 Elementary students and 1 staff member will need to quarantine.  District staff have communicated with the students affected.  New York State contact tracers will also be calling to provide additional details about the length of quarantine.       This will not alter our student attendance schedule for the remainder of the week.  Pre-K through Grade 12 will run their regular schedule.     Take care and have a great evening. Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Wednesday, Sep 08 2021

  • 2021-2022 District Reopening Plan

    Dear Homer Community, I hope that you are finding time to relax and recharge this summer.   As you might expect, a great deal of planning is going on in preparation for the return of all our students to in-person learning this fall.  The buildings are beginning to take shape and will be shiny and ready for students on September 7th.  Thanks to all those responsible for making this an annual reality.     I have attached the district's reopening plan here .  Please take time to review and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.    You will find that there are some things that will look very similar to the circumstances in June, but will be pleasantly surprised that there are some changes that hint at the potential for a more traditional school year.  Highlights of those changes are as follows...    1.  All students will be returning to in-person learning.  There will no longer be a virtual learning model option.  We will, however, be planning for virtual tutoring for students who are in a quarantine situation.  More details will follow as that planning evolves.   2.  With the current guidelines, students and staff will not be required to do a daily Covid-19 self-screen or temperature check. The focus will be on reminding everyone to stay home and to see a physician if you have Covid-19 symptoms.   3.  Masks will not be necessary when outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.     4.  The current guidelines will greatly limit the number of people that will need to quarantine if a Covid-19 positive case exists.  For those that are vaccinated and symptom free...there is no need for quarantine.   5.  We will offer voluntary, symptomatic testing for students and staff this year, free of charge.  We will be working with Cortland County and OCM BOCES to provide this service...for those individuals that experience Covid-19 symptoms during the school day...before they go home.  More specific information about this will be shared prior to September 7th.     I appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we continue to navigate this unprecedented time.     Take care and thank you for entrusting your child’s education to us.     Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Friday, Aug 20 2021

  • July 30th District Update

    Dear Homer Community, I hope you are enjoying the summer weather and your plans have not been hampered by the showers that seem to pop up regularly!  I am writing to provide information about the return of students in the fall and to ask for your input as we look to utilize federal grant monies to help minimize the effect that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on our district children and entire school community.       Full In-Person Learning    We are excited to welcome all students back to in-person learning on September 7th.  We are continuing to monitor New York State Department of Health and local guidance related to social distancing, mask wearing, and Covid-19 contact tracing and will communicate our complete reopening plan procedures in August.  As we have throughout the pandemic, we will develop our plan with the health and safety of students and staff at the forefront.  I am confident that we are able to meet this important standard.   American Rescue Plan Funding   Earlier this year, the President signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). ARP makes available $122.8 billion of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. New York State has been allocated nearly $9 billion under the ARP Act. As a result, Homer Schools has the opportunity to apply for $4.4 million.  20% of the monies must be used to address learning loss through the implementation of evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year programs.  The plan must respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the impact of the coronavirus on economically disadvantaged students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.  As part of the planning, we are interested in hearing from our community as to the priority areas for these funds.  Please share your thinking by clicking  here  by Friday, August 13th.  We will review the input, use it to develop our plan, and will share our final product.   Thank you in advance for your input and for  entrusting your child’s education to us.    Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Friday, Jul 30 2021

  • June 8th Updated District Mask Wearing Policy

    Dear Homer Community, I am writing to share the  new official updated guidance from the New York State Department of Health on mask wearing.  Please see the information below... Masks Face masks are required at all times in indoor school facilities, except for meals.  Masks will still be required on buses as well.  Mandatory mask breaks will continue to occur in classrooms. Effective June 8, 2021, face masks are not required to be worn outdoors on school grounds, including during outdoor school sports and recess.  Appropriate social distancing must be maintained.  No student, teacher, staff member, or visitor may be prevented from wearing an acceptable face mask voluntarily on school grounds.  The Homer Central School District has reviewed the updated state guidance and will relax our mask wearing/face covering requirements for outdoor activities and events immediately. While the decision to wear a mask outdoors is now left up to the individual, it is expected that all parties maintain 6 feet of physical distance when not wearing a mask/face covering.  Additionally, anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms is still not permitted to attend school or any school events.  Thank you and have a great afternoon. Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Tuesday, Jun 08 2021

  • Mask Guidelines

    Dear Homer Community, I am writing to update you on the mask policy as it relates to public schools.  As of 7 a.m., there has been no change in the New York State Department of Health's guidance on maskwearing in schools. Our policy remains that all students, staff, and visitors are expected to wear masks while on school grounds or in school buildings.  I am expecting some additional information to come out later today and will communicate with you if modifications to the policy occur. I appreciate your understanding as we navigate through this time of conflicting guidance and information.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (607) 749-7241.  Take care and thank you for entrusting your child's education to us. Sincerely, Thomas M. Turck Thomas M. Turck Superintendent of Schools Blue Pride!   New to ParentSquare or need help?   Click Here

    Monday, Jun 07 2021