Help Needed at Monticello CSD
The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined the work of schools on a number of levels. Perhaps the most insidious effect is the rate in which school employees are leaving the workforce, producing significant vacancies in school districts across New York. While the causes of this “great resignation” are complicated and not limited to the education sector, working in public schools benefits the community and employee, alike.
Monticello Central School District presently has many full-time and substitute vacancies in almost every department. These include full-time positions for aides, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, clerical staff, custodial staff, teachers, and teaching assistants.
Once hired, full-time employees receive significant benefits including:
- Locally competitive salary
- Employer-provided health insurance (New York State Health Insurance Plan)
- Enrollment in New York State’s retirement system
- Affordable dental and vision plans
- Paid sick and personal leave
- Consistent work hours (with opportunities for additional compensated work)
Beyond these benefits, one can see the immediate impact they make on children by working in schools. Few jobs can produce the satisfaction one feels when helping kids learn and grow.
For more information about working at Monticello CSD, please click here, or talk directly to any of our staff members.
To view and apply for available positions in our district, please go to https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.
COVID-19 Updates
Infection rates of COVID-19 continue to increase in Sullivan County. As of November 26, the 7-day positivity rate was 6.3%, with 48.4 cases per 100,000 residents. In comparison, on September 8, 2021—the first day of school—Sullivan County’s 7-day positivity rate was 6.1%, with 28.2 cases per 100,000 residents. These numbers might continue to increase with holiday gatherings, fewer open windows due to heating, and more contagious variants (e.g., Delta and Omicron).
The District will continue to strictly adhere to New York State Department of Health guidelines regarding facial coverings, contact tracing, physical distancing, maximizing ventilation, daily disinfection, and weekly testing of employees. We will also share vaccination clinic information from Sullivan County Public Health Services (SCPHS). We are presently surveying parents of 5- to 11-year-olds on their interest in COVID-19 vaccinations. Should we receive enough interest, we will coordinate a clinic for children through SCPHS.
Remote Instruction
With increasing rates of COVID-19 and staffing shortages (above), the probability of switches to remote instruction will continue. These are determined on a case-by-case basis, and only done when we do not have enough staff to safely supervise or transport students.
We recognize that remote instruction does not compare to in-person instruction. We also recognize the strain it puts on working families when trying to coordinate childcare. If we can safely keep our schools open, we will.
Please remember that when schools are open for in-person instruction, only those students who are quarantined or expected to quarantine (as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 positive case) are eligible to participate in live-stream instruction.
If students are symptomatic, they should stay home and immediately seek medical attention. They would, however, need abatement of symptoms, and either a negative COVID-19 test or alternate medical diagnosis to return to school. More information on COVID-19 testing sites can be found at https://sullivanny.us/Departments/Publichealth/Coronavirus.
Winter Events
Our schools and athletic programs will be hosting many events in the upcoming weeks. Please check the school’s or team’s calendar for more information on these dates. Our indoor events will have limited seating, with tickets given to families of the student performers or athletes. Face coverings must be worn at all times during indoor events. Attendees must also maintain physical distancing of at least six feet between family units.
MHS Food Drive Feeds 100 Families
Kudos to the students at Monticello High School for another successful Thanksgiving Food Drive. This year, students raised enough donations to create 100 baskets, each one containing all the ingredients of a traditional Thanksgiving meal.
As always, first-period classrooms compete against one another to see who can raise the greatest amount of donations, with the top first period classroom winning a breakfast prepared by none other than the high school’s administration. This year’s honors went to Coach Jasper and Coach Woundenberg’s first-period class, who collected an impressive $1,491.13 to support the food drive.
While the district’s COVID-19 safety protocols prevented our traditional Thanksgiving assembly, members of the Food Drive Committee worked together with Jullian Dawson of the United Way. to compile and prepare the baskets for delivery. Watch this video below, courtesy of senior Marley Wells. for highlights of the drive: