Letter to NFA Families from Acting Superintendent, Mr. Ed Forgit

September 10, 2021

Dear Newburgh Free Academy scholars, families, faculty and staff,

The first few days of school have been exciting! We are overjoyed to welcome all of our scholars back for in-person learning for the first time since March 2019. We have welcomed back two grade levels of students who have never walked the halls of Newburgh Free Academy as high school scholars. As our new high school students learn how to efficiently navigate the building and our returning students, faculty, and staff adjust to their schedules, we have made adjustments to help manage hallway traffic during the changing of class periods. As is mentioned in the 2021-2022 Opening Guidebook, we are striving for progress, not perfection. We are prepared by implementing a wide range of mitigation strategies that provide a strong foundation, so that our schools can react quickly to any issues that may arise. 

As a result of one report of congestion in the morning of the first day of school, we relocated some of our staff to redirect hallway traffic to help our scholars utilize all possible hallway and stairway space possible to travel from class to class. Today, we have also provided maps for students, so they can better strategize their path when the bell rings. 

At the end of the first day, I asked our Director of Safety and Security to review video footage to assess congestion throughout the building for the duration of the first day. I am pleased to report that there were no additional instances of extreme congestion in our hallways or stairwells for an extended period of time. 

I recognize reports of hallway congestion may have been alarming on the first day of school. Please keep in mind, when managing the spread of COVID-19, all districts take into account both distance and duration of any potential exposure, in addition to the various mitigation measures that are in place. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, please continue to use covidhelp@necsd.net or 845-563-3412. If you need assistance with any other matter, please continue to follow the communications protocol for families that can be found here.

Please consider the COVID-19 vaccination if you have not already. The district is offering vaccination distribution dates for the Pfizer vaccine that is authorized for people 12 years of age and older. Sign up information can be found here. Continue to wash your hands, watch your distance, and wear a mask. We are honored to have your support and look forward to our collaboration as we work together to overcome this pandemic. This is an immense responsibility we take very seriously. 

Sincerely,

Ed Forgit

Acting Superintendent of Schools

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!