Important Announcement from Superintendent McDonald - 10/27/20

October 27, 2020

Dear parents and guardians,

I am writing today because we were notified that we have two students in the District who have tested positive for COVID-19. One student attends C.W. Baker High School and the other student attends McNamara Elementary School. The two cases are not related. 

District officials in conjunction with the Onondaga County Health Department immediately began its investigation, which is ongoing.

The McNamara student impacted was last in attendance on October 21. The Baker student was last in attendance on October 22 and last attended an extracurricular activity on October 24. Both students are now in isolation. We can’t provide any additional information about these students due to confidentiality and privacy constraints. 

The Onondaga County Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation. They will be contacting the 16 students and 4 staff members required to quarantine in connection with the McNamara case. The quarantine is expected to end on November 4th with a return on November 5th as scheduled. 

The Onondaga County Health Department will be contacting the 24 students and 5 staff members who are required to quarantine in connection with the Baker case. The quarantine is expected to end on November 7th with a return to school on November 9th. 

Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that families please keep an eye out for signs and symptoms as it takes 7 to 8 days after exposure. The District is taking precautions to protect the health and safety of its students and employees. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and communicate updates, if necessary.

At this time, the District has determined that there is no need to close McNamara Elementary School or C.W. Baker High School. The District’s custodial staff will continue its regular deep cleaning and sanitizing practices at the schools.
  
We appreciate your support and understanding on this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Matthew J. McDonald, Superintendent of Schools