Sunday's COVID-19 Update

Dear Pelham Parents and Community Members,

As we prepare for our second full week of this extended school closure, I hope that you and your families are healthy and adapting to these still surreal changes in our lives. This week, we will begin offering virtual office hours for all students. We look forward to these opportunities for teachers and students to interact, learn together and establish an educational routine that we hope will bring some normalcy to your lives. We again ask for patience as we expect this road to be bumpy at first and improve over time.

We continue to do our best to track the spread of COVID-19 in Pelham and will continue to notify those who may have come in contact with an individual who has since tested positive according to Department of Health guidance. These notifications will continue to come directly from your respective principal. Whether or not you have tested positive, are showing symptoms, or have been asked to quarantine, it is essential that we all continue to practice social distancing. That is the only way we can slow the spread of this virus and return our lives to normal over time. This means:

• Stay home as much as possible, even if you feel healthy

• Refrain from congregating in groups and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others

• Refrain from social gatherings, playdates and sleepovers with friends

• Do not visit public playgrounds

• Use caution when visiting grocery stores/pharmacies and consider delivery services for food and groceries.

As a reminder, meal service for those who qualify for free and reduced lunch will be available for pickup at Hutchinson School between 8 and 10am, Monday-Friday. Both breakfast and lunch will be available during that time. 

Lastly, I want to extend a sincere thank you to the Pelham Teachers Association, the Pelham CSEA Non-instructional and Building Services Units, the Pelham Administrators Association, and our hourly support staff for their partnership in providing childcare for first responders and essential health care workers, a program that will begin this week. It is an honor for all of us to support those on the front lines of this battle.

I look forward to a positive and productive week of learning and thank the community for your continued support. 

Sincerely,

Cheryl H. Champ
Superintendent of Schools

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Information on Community Organizations Offering Assistance 

Additionally, organizations such as Pelham Together, the Junior League of Pelham and our faith community have offered their assistance with those families with a variety of needs, including food, child care, and other demands of day-to-day life. The Pelham Civic Association is also available for families that have fallen on hard times due to this pandemic. Please feel free to reach out in confidentiality for potential assistance to Richard Davidian, Vice President, Community programs at Richard.Davidian1@gmail.com (914-552-0872) or Dr. Stan Trocchia, Chairman, Good Neighbors program Goodneighbors@pelhamcivics.org.