October 2, 2020
Dear Parents, Guardians and School Community:
I have two things I would like to bring to your attention.
1. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) released new guidance documents this morning pertaining to how we must treat students and staff with COVID-19-related symptoms. They include a number of flow charts to help us follow the new procedures. We have posted these flow charts on our website and have incorporated the new procedures into our Reopening Safety Plan for Staff and Students. I kindly ask that you read and familiarize yourself with these new procedures. Of note:
· Anyone choosing to travel internationally or to a state on the New York State travel advisory list must complete a 14-day quarantine – a negative test result after returning does not change the 14-day requirement.
· When a member of a household is in isolation, all members of the household must quarantine until released by the local health department.
· If anyone is sent home with symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 and they refuse to see a health care provider and be tested within 48 hours, they will be considered to be positive. We would then be required to share this information with the Oneida County Department of Health and begin contact tracing on our end. I recognize this will create a burden every time someone is sent home with symptoms, but the failure to have a test within 48 hours could potentially cause many people to be quarantined, as all cases would be deemed positive in the absence of that test. And, failure to have that information could cause us to be closed by the NYSDOH. Again, I understand this will be a huge burden, but it is imperative everyone with symptoms be tested within 48 hours.
Again, please read/review the new guidance documents and our updated plan on our website. It is important we all know and understand these new procedures.
2. On a more pleasant note, our first varsity sporting events will begin next week. Because of social distancing mandates, we are only permitted to allow two spectators per athlete. So, we have decided to try to live stream our soccer contests so those who cannot attend, can watch from home. We are attempting to do this internally, so it will be somewhat of a trial and error for us. But, our first attempt will be on Monday for the Varsity Girls Soccer game against Sauquoit Valley at 4:30 p.m. The link for this and all other contests will be available on our website – we kindly ask for your patience. Also, please check our website for the full athletics schedule and all of the protocols for athletic contests.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Rocco Migliori Superintendent of Schools
*This message is a written summary of Superintendent Migliori's telephone message to the school community on October 2, 2020.*