Dear parents/guardians,
The district learned today, January 16, 2021, that a second Unatego Junior-Senior High School student has tested positive for COVID-19.
The student who tested positive was last in the school building on January 13. Any student or staff member who had close contact with that student has been notified by school personnel and will receive further notification from the Otsego County Department of Health. Our school staff followed COVID-19 protocols at all times, in accordance with the district’s Reopening plan, and this helped greatly limit the risk of exposure. We will continue to cooperate and coordinate with the Otsego County Health Department. It is our further understanding that both students who tested positive for COVID-19 this week were exposed outside of school.
At this time, out of an abundance of caution and to help prevent further spread of the virus, we are closing the Junior-Senior High School to in-person, hybrid instruction for one week and will be moving to fully remote, synchronous instruction until January 26 for students in grades 6-12.
Unatego Elementary will, however, remain open for hybrid, in-person instruction.
Full Day out-of-district students will be transported to their out-of-district placements. Half Day Career and Technical Education (CTE) students will attend their CTE programs remotely for the week.
Please note that the federal and state privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive or release any additional information.
We hope to resume in-person instruction for Middle and High School students on Tuesday, January 26.
We continue to put the health and safety of our students and staff first and foremost in our planning. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time. And we remind everyone to wear a mask in public, practice social distancing, and avoid large gatherings.
Sincerely,
Dr. David S. Richards, Superintendent of Schools