Lew-Port not in 'yellow zone'

Winter recess begins Thursday, Dec. 24

‘In the Loop’ with the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education

By Jodee Riordan

Board of Education President

The Board of Education met on Monday for our last meeting of 2020.

As is a beloved holiday tradition, the board welcomed the amazing music department to our meeting. Each December, a talented ensemble joins us to perform a series of holiday favorites. This year, we were treated to a little (virtual) holiday cheer from the entire Lew-Port music department, K-12. Thank you to our talented students and dedicated music teachers, especially Jamie Burritt, for joining us and introducing the performances; and Mark Marinaccio for putting it all together. We greatly appreciate the gift of their time and talents to brighten our evening.

You can enjoy the joy of the holiday season by visiting the Lewiston-Porter music department page on the Lew-Port website, www.lew-port.com, or check out its Twitter @LewPortMusic. Virtual holiday concerts and performances are posted on our building webpages, too, and shared on SeeSaw. #stillmakingmusic

In addition to holiday concerts, the campus is merry and bright with artwork and decorations celebrating the season. The halls are decked, the classrooms warm and joyful. At the high school, Cindy Sanchez and her art students helped to make the season bright by stenciling holiday themes and words of hope and cheer on the main lobby windows for all to enjoy. Across the district, students and staff celebrated all this past week with Holiday Spirit Week, donning ugly Christmas sweaters and showing school spirit with Green and White Day.

This week ahead, Monday, is a normal virtual day for all hybrid students. On Tuesday, students on the green team will be on campus, while the white team is remote. On Wednesday, students on the green team will be on campus with the white team remote.

Holiday Spirit Week continues both days on campus: Pajama Day (elementary: PEC/IEC); Pajama/Hat Day (middle school); and Festive Flair Day at the high school (wear your favorite ugly sweater or holiday shirt, socks, scarves, etc.). Winter recess begins on Thursday, and extends through the new year. Classes will resume Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. This will be a virtual day for all hybrid students.

Although most of the Town of Lewiston and many other areas of Niagara County moved into a “yellow zone” this past week, as of press time, Lewiston-Porter remains open for in-person learning and not impacted by the current designation.

Niagara County Health Commissioner Dan Stapleton notified us the Lewiston Porter Central School District does not fall in the “yellow zone” areas for Niagara County. In the event, that the “yellow zone” is expanded to include our district, we are prepared to meet the testing and other requirements.

We are here for our community and will remain open. Please stay tuned for notifications and updates from Superintendent Paul Casseri for any and all breaking news.

This has been a very difficult year. As it closes, we are grateful for the courage and dedication of our teachers and staff; the leadership of our administration; and the support of our families. We look forward to the new year, and we wish you a joyous holiday and the hope of better days: That “from now on, our troubles will be miles away.”

On behalf of the Board of Education, from our families to yours: Though, it’s been said many times, many ways – merry Christmas to you!