COVID-19 cases in our District for November 25, 2020

November 25, 2020

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We were notified that we have multiple positive cases of COVID-19 in our District. The new cases involve two students at Van Buren Elementary School, one student at Durgee Junior High School, one student at C.W. Baker High School, and one Facilities Department staff member. 

The Onondaga County Health Department determined that there are no required quarantines due to in-school exposure in the following cases:

• One student at Baker High School last in attendance on November 18th

The county Health Department determined that there are required quarantines in the following cases:

• One of the impacted students at Van Buren Elementary School was last in attendance on November 20th. The county Health Department will be contacting the 13 students and 1 staff member who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on December 4th, with a return to school on December 7th as scheduled.  

• The second impacted student at Van Buren Elementary School was last in attendance on November 23rd. The county Health Department will be contacting the 21 students and 5 staff who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on December 7th, with a return to school on December 8th as scheduled.  

• The impacted student from Durgee Junior High School was last in attendance on November 18th. The county Health Department will be contacting the 36 students 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.  

• The impacted Facilities Department staff member was last in attendance on November 13th. The county Health Department will be contacting the 5 staff who are required to quarantine. The quarantine is expected to end on November 27th.

As you know, we cannot 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