COVID-19 cases in our District for November 22, 2020

November 22, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We were notified that we have multiple positive cases of COVID-19 in our District. The cases involve two C.W. Baker High School students and three Durgee Junior High School students. In each of these cases, the Onondaga County Health Department determined this evening that there was no in-school exposure and therefore no required quarantines.

• Two Baker High School students last in attendance November 9th

• One Durgee Junior High School student last in attendance November 9th

• Two Durgee Junior High School students last in attendance November 13th

I would also like to update you on the Onondaga County Health Department’s quarantine determinations resulting from the required asymptomatic testing that took place last week in four of our school buildings in order for these schools to remain open while in the yellow micro-cluster zone. The district awaits information related to the two positive cases at Baker High School, but did receive an update regarding quarantines for the positive case at Palmer Elementary School.

The impacted student at Palmer Elementary was last in attendance November 18th. The Onondaga County Health Department will be contacting the 22 students and 4 staff members who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on December 2nd, with a return to school on December 7th as scheduled for the Hive cohort.

We can’t provide any additional information about these cases due to confidentiality and privacy constraints. At this time, the District has determined that there is no need to cancel in-person instruction at 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.

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.

As always, we appreciate your support and understanding on this matter. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.

Sincerely,

Joseph M. DeBarbieri, Acting Superintendent of Schools