Dear Principals, I realize this may be a difficult time for many of you both personally and professionally as you

deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. I want to thank you again, as well as all the teachers, administrators and parents for their efforts during the preparation and recovery of the storm. We are eager to get our 1.1 million students back in the classroom. Below is guidance to support the reopening of schools tomorrow. I am also providing information on canceled and rescheduled events due to Hurricane Sandy, which can be seen here. This page will be updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to your students and school communities during this difficult time. I recognize this email is reaching you at a late hour and apologize for the timing. We will be in touch again tomorrow with additional information. Sincerely, Dennis M. Walcott Guidance for Staff Tomorrow, all staff should report to school at 10 a.m. Currently there are some school buildings without power or with severe damage from the hurricane. As a result, these schools will co-locate for tomorrow; impacted principals will receive an additional email shortly with information regarding where staff should report, unless alternate arrangements have already been made. Please note that your buildings status is based on information we have collected over the last couple of days; if anything has changed, please let your network leader know immediately. If you do not receive a second email shortly, you and your staff should report to your regular location. This information will be emailed to all staff later this evening and also made available on the DOE web site, Facebook, and Twitter. School Opening Checklist Principals may use the school opening checklist that is already posted on the school opening web site. Principals are asked to focus on the relevant areas of the checklist that address organizational changes and any post-hurricane challenges. Although not mandated, you are encouraged to use the checklist to assess your schools readiness for the re-opening of schools. This checklist is for your internal planning and does not need to be submitted to your network; please feel free to share it with your staff. For questions and support, contact your network leader. Welcoming Back Staff and Students Pasted below is a list of recommended steps and resources to consider as your staff and students return to school. Recording Teacher Attendance in Galaxy It is important to record teacher attendance in Galaxy by 11:00 a.m. This allows us to determine where to assign additional teachers on Monday. Specific instructions will be available on the sign-in page and also on the screen where you make entries. Principals at

schools without internet connectivity can submit attendance tracking by calling HR Connect at (718) 935-4000. Schools Without Internet Staff at schools without internet connectivity should report as normal. Principals should be in contact with their networks for support. Policies on Lateness, Work Hours, and Bringing Children to Work As the Chancellor has communicated throughout the week, there will be no penalties for transit-related lateness. If you cannot come to work, you should use annual leave, personal leave/CAR time, or compensatory time to stay home. Continue to use your judgment and ensure your safety first. Principals may release non-instructional staff early depending on the needs of their school and whether they can utilize the staff effectively. Staff released early will have time deducted from their pay. Individual principals have discretion over whether to allow their staff to bring children to work. Principals Weekly Principals Weekly will not be sent this week. Please note that some deadlines that were previously messaged in Principals Weekly have been adjusted and will be noted in next weeks issue. ****** SUGGESTIONS FOR WELCOMING BACK YOUR STAFF & STUDENTS AFTER HURRICANE SANDY As we welcome back staff and prepare for students return, it is important to take some time to check in with school community members about their experiences over the last several days and to talk with them about their well-being. Supporting Staff As staff return to school, please consider:

providing an opportunity for staff members to articulate what they need in getting through the next several days; giving staff members an opportunity to share their concerns on how best to support students; activating your school crisis response team; updating staff on ongoing communication protocols; updating the school's staff and parent contact information; planning to open a space in your school for students to go for counseling services; and preparing crisis resources for staff.

Supporting Students All students have been affected to some extent by Hurricane Sandy. Regardless of students ages, it is important to consider:

providing them with opportunities to discuss their experiences; validating the range of feelings they may have regarding what has happened; answering their questions honestly; and focusing on students strengths.

Encourage staff members who learn of specific student and family needs to share this information with you or your designee. Online Resources

Tips for Administrators, Teachers, and Counselors includes guidance on speaking with your staff upon their return to school: http://intranet.nycboe.net/NR/rdonlyres/358E8D81-1998-4364-9B35A96F03E71168/0/TipsforAdministratorsCounselorsandTeachers.pdf Crisis Response Resources can help your staff address the needs of students and their families in the coming days and weeks: http://intranet.nycboe.net/DOEPortal/Principals/FamSvcs/YouthDevelopm ent/KeyLinks/CrisisResponseResourcesHurricaneSandy.htm Talking to Children About Hurricane Sandy provides teachers and counselors with specific strategies they may use in starting a conversation with students about their experiences: http://intranet.nycboe.net/NR/rdonlyres/E48DD4AC4B75-427C-8D5D5F8E4DB75995/0/TalkingtoChildrenAboutHurricaneSandyGuidanceforTeachers. pdf

If you have questions regarding this information or require additional assistance, please contact your network leader.