The Duanesburg Central School District was informed of the following positive cases of COVID-19:
- Two individuals associated with the Elementary School who were last in school on 11/18.
- One person associated with the Elementary School who was last in school on 11/29.
Schenectady County Public Health Services has notified the district that several members of our school community will be required to quarantine. Our school nurse has completing contact tracing and has contacted the impacted individuals. In addition, Ms. Pineiro’s 2nd Grade Class will be transitioning to remote instruction through Thursday, December 9. This class will return to in-person instruction on Friday, December 10.
The students who have been quarantined will be provided instructions from teachers regarding instruction. Students should check their school email and Google Classroom for information.
I have received several questions regarding recent quarantines. While it is true that students who are masked and sitting three apart are generally exempt from quarantine if an individual in their class tests positive for COVID, that formula does not take into consideration factors such as removing masks for meals eaten in the classroom or classroom activities that involve student collaboration and movement around the classroom. As with all COVID-related decisions in our schools, we are careful to attempt to balance student safety and quality instructional practices. Because of the recent spike in positive cases and the subsequent rise in quarantines, we have decided to curtail some class activity that puts students in closer contact with each other for the time being. When rates decline again, we will return to some of these activities.
As always, the best way to prevent disruptive quarantines is through vaccination. Vaccines are now available for everyone aged 5 and up. Asymptomatic vaccinated individuals are not subject to disruptive quarantines. You can find a vaccination site at https://www.vaccines.gov/