January 14, 2021
Dear School Community:
I hope everyone is well and have been able to find some type of balance in the midst of all the uncertainty we are facing. Please watch my latest video message recorded on January 14. 
On a somewhat positive note, the COVID-19 positivity rate in Oneida County is finally beginning to trend downward, although slowly. For several weeks, our 7-day average was more than 10 percent, but is now down to 8.1 percent. When we made the decision to transition to remote instruction prior to Thanksgivings recess, our 7-day average was 2.8 percent. It is important to note while Oneida County’s positivity rate is currently 8.1 percent, our regional 7-day average is 10.7 percent. This is significant because we recognize some people do not work in Oneida County and must travel outside the county on a regular basis.
Fortunately, the number of staff in isolation or quarantine is down. Currently, there are three staff members in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19 and one staff member in quarantine due to being a close contact. We do not have an exact count for students, but we believe 31 or 32 students are in isolation or quarantine.
As previously communicated, having accurate and up-to-date information is critical as we try to resume and maintain in-person instruction. So, if your child has tested positive and is isolated, or was a close contact and is in quarantine, please let us know by contacting your child’s school nurse. We also need to know the dates of isolation or quarantine. I understand some may not be comfortable sharing this information, but it is the only way we, as a district, can make informed decisions. All information will be kept confidential.
So far, more than 20 percent of district staff have received the first dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines. While encouraging, the supply of vaccines in our area is still limited, and many are struggling to make appointments. Once more staff can get vaccinated, we will feel much more comfortable with in-person instruction.
When determining when to safely resume in-person instruction, knowing who is in isolation or quarantine and vaccinated is important, but so is knowing about and helping those who may be feeling lonely or depressed. This, too, can cause sickness, but is not always easily apparent. We cannot lose sight of academic issues as well. Remote instruction is a “band aid” solution to the challenges we are experiencing, not the ideal way to teach our children. It is vital that we remain true to our academic standards and be able to accurately measure our students’ progress. A return to in-person instruction will certainly alleviate some of the mental stressors of the pandemic and make learning more effective.
Having taken into account everything mentioned above, I think next week is too early to resume in-person instruction. I want to make sure our positivity rate continues to decline and want to afford district staff more time to get vaccinated. I am also hesitant to make a decision too soon because data can quickly change. With that said, we are going to attempt to resume in-person instruction the week of January 25, as follows:
Monday, January 25
-Remote instruction for Jr./Sr. High School, Upper Elementary School and Primary Elementary School students
-20 percent of Primary Elementary and Upper Elementary (grades K-6) students tested
Tuesday, January 26
-Primary Elementary and Upper Elementary students return to in-person instruction, assuming testing does not reveal a significant number of positive cases
-Remote instruction for Jr./Sr. High School students
-20 percent of Jr./Sr. High School (grades 7-12) students tested
Wednesday, January 27
-Jr./Sr. High School Cohort A students return to in-person instruction, assuming testing does not reveal a significant number of positive cases
Thursday, January 28
-Jr./Sr. High School Cohort B students return to in-person instruction, assuming testing does not reveal a significant number of positive cases
To make reopening school possible, I, once again, ask that you please consider having your child tested for COVID-19. All testing will occur at school and is free. To make a testing appointment for your child, and for more information, please click here - will be posted soon.
The Westmoreland Central School District is located in a “yellow zone.” As a result, per state protocols, we must test 20 percent of our student population to potentially remain open to in-person instruction or to be eligible to be open for in-person instruction. Staff was already tested.
If the testing results reveal the positivity rate among the 20 percent of those tested is lower than the “yellow zone’s” current seven-day positivity rate, testing will not be required to continue. If the testing results reveal the positivity rate among the 20 percent of those tested is higher than the “yellow zone’s” current seven-day positivity rate, a school district must test 20 percent of its students, faculty and staff on a bi-weekly basis for in-person instruction to continue.
Moving forward, I will continue to closely monitor data and consult with our medical director, the Oneida County Department of Health, district staff and parents to confirm it is safe to resume in-person instruction the week of January 25 or hold off a bit longer.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, suggestions and support. Your many messages and emails of encouragement and thanks are also much appreciated.
Stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Rocco Migliori
Superintendent of Schools