Feb. 5 update
Dear DCS Community:
Based on the information we have gathered from families today, we have determined that we will be able to open for in-person learning for grades PK-5 beginning on Monday, February 8.
Instruction for grades 6-12 will remain remote and will reopen for in-person instruction following Winter Break on February 22.
Parents of K-5 students who have indicated that they can transport their children next week should do so. Drop off at the Elementary School will be from 8:30 to 9:00 and pick-up will be from 2:30-3:00. We encourage parents to use our ISchoolRide app to make pick-up as efficient as possible. We thank you so much for helping us to return to in-person learning.
Bus riders will be transported using alternate routes. Though bus pickup and drop-off times will be similar, please watch your email this weekend for updates that may provide you with more specific times.
Thank you for your continued patience and partnership.
Original post Feb. 4
This post was updated Feb. 5 to reflect the return to in-person learning for grades K-5 starting Feb. 8.
Dear DCS community:
Today DCS was notified that a student in our Jr/Sr High School, a student in our Elementary School, and a member of our school transportation department tested positive for COVID-19.
All of the individuals’ direct contacts have been identified and placed under a mandatory quarantine. A significant number of our transportation staff members have been placed under quarantine. This has created a staffing issue in our transportation department. As a result, we are simply unable to transport all students.
Students in PK-5 and all off-site programs (including special education programs, CTE, and private or parochial school) will continue to attend school as normal. Transportation for all off-site programs will continue as normal.
All students in grades 6-12 will pivot to remote learning through Friday, Feb. 12. School is closed Feb. 15-19 for winter break. Classes will resume on Monday, Feb. 22.
We will continue to monitor our staffing ratios and will update families if needed.
I would like to reassure you that we do not have a COVID outbreak in the district and this is not considered a district closure. I want to remind families that our school buildings remain safe places to be and will, in fact, remain open for after school activities. Our school offices will also remain open and teachers will teach from school. This is a unique situation.
Please know that this was an incredibly difficult decision that was made in consultation with Schenectady County Public Health Services. We know the importance of keeping our students in school, however, with the amount of transportation staff impacted, we simply do not have enough staff to transport our students.
Even with the limited number of drivers we have, we will be able to provide meal delivery to those in need. If you are in need of meals for your child during the remote learning period, please contact Food Services Manager Mary Jewell, 518-895-2279 ext. 228.
I want to thank those of you who have continued to follow guidelines and protocols both in and out of school, because when we do that, it is more likely that we will be able to keep our doors open to provide the support our students need.
As always, thank you for your understanding. Please reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Dr. James Niedermeier
Superintendent of Schools