COVID-19 cases in our District 11/17/20

November 17, 2020

Dear parents and guardians,

We were notified that we have multiple positive cases of COVID-19 in our District. The cases involve one Ray Middle School student, one Ray Middle School staff member, one Durgee Junior High School student, one Reynolds Elementary School student, and one substitute teacher. District officials in conjunction with the Onondaga County Health Department immediately began its investigation for each of the cases, which are ongoing.

The impacted Ray Middle School student was last in attendance on November 6. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation, but at this time there appears to be no quarantines due to in-school exposure.

The impacted Ray Middle School staff member was last in attendance on November 10. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation. They will be contacting the 38 students who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on November 24, with a return to school on December 2 following the Thanksgiving holiday as scheduled for the Buzz cohort.

The impacted Durgee Junior High School student was last in attendance on November 4 and is a relative of the Ray Middle School student. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation, but at this time there appears to be no quarantines due to in-school exposure.   

The impacted Reynolds Elementary School student was last in attendance on November 13. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation. They will be contacting the 15 students and 1 staff member who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on November 27, with a return to school on December 2 following the Thanksgiving holiday as scheduled for the Buzz cohort.

The impacted substitute teacher was last in attendance at Durgee Junior High School on November 12. The county Health Department is in the beginning stages of its contact tracing and investigation, but at this time there appears to be no quarantines due to in-school exposure.   

The students and staff members are now in isolation. We can’t provide any additional information about them due to confidentiality and privacy constraints.

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 cancel in-person instruction at any of the impacted schools. The District’s custodial staff will continue its regular deep cleaning and sanitizing practices in our buildings and on our school buses.

We appreciate your support and understanding on this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Joseph M. DeBarbieri, Acting Superintendent of Schools