How Sag Harbor Schools Look During Days Of Coronavirus: Photos

SAG HARBOR, NY — Students returned to school in Sag Harbor recently as the new year kicked off with a hybrid of in-person and remote learning.

Sag Harbor Elementary School and Pierson Middle and High Schools reopened Monday with new faces, including newly appointed high school Principal Brittany Carriero and Laura Westhoff, dean of Pierson Middle School.

“This is certainly a unique time in education, but the past few days have illustrated the resilience of our amazing students and staff,” Westhoff said. “Even though we are smiling behind masks these days, it’s clear that there is positive energy in the building and everyone is excited to finally be laughing and learning in person. We look forward to a wonderful year with our students and families.”

Westhoff has worked as a math teacher at Pierson Middle School, creating lessons for students in Math 7, Math 8, Algebra 8, Algebra 9, ELA 7, PLANT I and Math AIS, the district said.

During the summer, school administrators, in collaboration with members of the Sag Harbor School District Reopening Task Force, developed learning models that include different scenarios in order to address changes due to COVID-19, district officials said.

Under the new model, students in pre-K through 8th grade will attend school Monday through Friday; students in Grades 9 to 12 are scheduled for in-person learning every other day.

The instructional experiences will remain "inclusive, culturally responsive, and consider the needs of all students"; training and support will be provided to faculty, students and families to support the transition back to school, the district said.