UPDATE Sunday, March 15, 2020 – 4 PM.
After consultation with local public health officials concerning the developing situation concerning COVID-19, school superintendents in the HFM BOCES area have announced the cancelation of all classes in the region effective Monday, March 16 through Tuesday, March 31.
Classes in the following districts will be closed to students during this time: Amsterdam, Broadalbin-Perth, Canajoharie, Edinburg, Fonda-Fultonville, Fort Plain, Gloversville, Johnstown, Lake Pleasant, Mayfield, Northville, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville, Piseco, Wells, and Wheelerville.
The purpose of the closure is to help stop the possible spread of the virus and allow school and local health officials to continue to assess the situation and recommend future action.
Local school superintendents unanimously made the decision to cancel classes in the region following a meeting Sunday, March 15, with county officials and school district attorneys.
HFM BOCES and local school districts will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), New York Department of Education (NYSED) and our local county health departments during this time.
HFM BOCES and local school districts are currently making plans for faculty and staff activities while classes are canceled and are developing a variety of resources for parent-guided and self-guided learning for students. Due to practical limits, it may not be possible for all school districts and BOCES programs to continue their complete instructional programs during the closure. Students and parents should anticipate continued communications from their home districts or BOCES program during the week. Provisions of school meals for students are also being made by local districts.
The cancelation of classes follows the announcement of a state of emergency in Montgomery County. School leaders are also in communication with officials from Fulton and Hamilton counties.
School district leaders will continue to monitor the situation and will consider if additional closures are required in the future.
“Our local school superintendents are exercising an abundance of caution,” HFM District Superintendent David Ziskin said. “We realize the cancelation of classes presents a hardship for our families but we must continue to take the spread of this virus seriously to ensure the safety of our children and our communities.”
For the most current and accurate information about the coronavirus please visit www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus.