Jennifer Briggs takes a picture of her son, Jack, outside Bemus Point Elementary School on Monday. More than a dozen students previously learning remotely returned to in-person education. Submitted photo

BEMUS POINT — More than a dozen students who had been learning from home since September returned to Bemus Point Elementary School on Monday.

The return to in-person instruction was set into motion after the New York State Department of Health in mid-March updated its guidance for schools. Key, at least for the elementary school, was the state reducing the physical distance requirements between students from 6 feet to 3 feet. Further, schools are no longer required to utilize physical barriers, even when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Face masks are still required at all times, except when students are eating.

The elementary school held a parent informational meeting April 20 to go over the new guidelines. Principal Sonja DuBois noted that the school “appeared to be ahead of the game” in that 15% of elementary school students were learning at home while 85% were being taught in the classroom five days a week.

“This feat was attained by offering a remote option to families back in September 2020,” she said. “The goal has always been to return each Bemus Point elementary child back safely to in-person learning and now it is possible. The latest guidance for in-person instruction, social distancing and reopening schools has provided Bemus Point Elementary School the opportunity to move closer to this goal.”

Parents were recently given the option to have children return to the classroom. DuBois said 18 of the 41 students who had been learning remotely opted to come back to the school; those students officially returned Monday where they were “warmly greeted by the school staff.”

Even with updated distancing guidelines, the elementary school will be able to keep desks 6 feet apart.

“We continue to feel confident that our school is able to provide students with the best education opportunities while keeping each teacher, staff and student safe,” DuBois said.

Over at Maple Grove Middle-High School, 48 students are currently learning in the classroom on Mondays and Tuesday; 55 students are in the school on Thursdays and Fridays; and 200 students are in the building all five days of the week. Julie Verdonik, Maple Grove principal, said 52 students are utilizing remote learning — down from the 85 students learning at home to start the year.

Like in the elementary school, students will remain 6 feet apart in middle and high school classrooms. Music and gym classes can “resume some normalcy at 6 feet.”

Dividers in the cafeteria have been removed and replaced with desks spaced 6 feet apart.

“We are excited to bring as many students back as possible in a safe manner,” Verdonik said. “Our students are excited to be back in school with their friends and teachers. Some students are reconnecting with friends they haven’t seen in a while.

“The school is buzzing again. We are planning some in-person events in May and June (while still following all the Department of Health guidelines) so we are excited to welcome the community back in a safe manner.”

Those in-person events were detailed during a Maple Grove parent informational meeting, also held April 20. They include: the Junior High Concert on May 12, with the chorus performing at 7 p.m. and the band at 7:30 p.m. — all students will be allowed to bring two adults; the Senior High Concert on May 26, with the event streamed live and recorded. — each senior can have two adults attend; and the High School Musical on May 23, with performances at 1 and 6 p.m.

The last day of school for students is June 21. The English Regents exam will be held June 17, while algebra, earth science and living environment Regents exams will be held June 22-24.

BUDGET APPROVED

The Bemus Point Central School Board on April 19 approved its 2021-22 budget in the amount of $15,588,352. The budget includes an increase in spending by $147,988 over the current budget with a proposed tax levy of 1.09%.

According to Superintendent Joseph Reyda, the district’s state aid increased by about $11,934; BOCES aid ratio increased from 46.7% to 47.7%; and the district is reducing two instructional positions by attrition.

A public hearing regarding the budget will be held Thursday, May 6. The budget then goes up for a vote to district residents on Tuesday, May 18.

“We do have a change in our district budget hearing and budget vote location,” Reyda said. “Normally, it would be held in the Maple Grove cafeteria, but now we’ve moved it to the Maple Grove STEAM room. The change in location allows us to more easily follow the district’s safety protocols.”

The school board has three seats open with four candidates running.