Dear Stillwater Community,
The Stillwater Central School District has confirmed today, Monday, Dec. 14, that an individual in the high school community is presumed positive for COVID-19. The individual was last in the building on Friday, Dec. 11.
We have been in contact with the Saratoga County Department of Health and identified the individual’s close contacts in the school community. Anyone who has been in close contact with the individual will be directly contacted by a school administrator to discuss quarantine procedures and other health-related instructions. A call from the New York State Department of Health contact tracers will follow.
Due to the rise in cases in our buildings over the last three days and the amount of staff members impacted due to quarantines, beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 15 all students in UPK-12 will be fully remote through Christmas break. At this time, we anticipate students in the hybrid program will return to school on Monday, Jan. 4. We will update families if this changes.
Please know that this was an incredibly difficult decision. We know the importance of keeping our students in school, however, with the amount of staff impacted and the rise in cases, it was best to move to a fully remote learning period out of an abundance of caution for our students, staff and their families.
Schedules for students beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 15, will be as follows:
Elementary: Students in UPK-grade 5 should log on to their Google Classroom by 8:30 a.m. and follow their teacher’s prepared schedule (Principal Toleman will share more information with families later today).
Middle School: Students in grades 6-8 will follow their period 1-9 printed schedule (Principal Hulihan will share more information with families in a letter later today).
High School: Students in grades 9-12 will follow their periods 1-9 virtual schedule.
Meals will be available for students during the remote learning period. If your child is in need of meals, you can pick them up for the week on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and Monday, Dec. 21 at the high school delivery door from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please contact Food Services Director Joan Hopeck at jhopeck@scsd.org if you are in need of meals.
We will still be providing transportation to BOCES programs and CTE during the remote learning period. If you have any questions, please contact Transportation Director Tom Murphy at tmurphy@scsd.org.
It is important to note that during the remote learning period, all of our buildings will be deep cleaned by our custodial staff as per CDC guidelines.
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of continuing to stay vigilant outside of school, including limiting group gatherings, wearing masks and following social distance guidelines.
As a reminder, it is essential to keep the district informed if your child becomes symptomatic and/or tests positive from now through January 3.
As always, please reach out to your child’s principal if you have any questions. Thank you for your understanding during this time.
Sincerely,
Patricia Morris
Superintendent of Schools