Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Canajoharie CSD continues to monitor all guidance from local, state, and federal agencies regarding COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus. I stay in constant contact with the director of the Montgomery County Public Health Department. At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our school district. We do have some information to share with you as we continue to prepare for this ever-changing situation.
We will be having a Superintendent’s Conference day for faculty and staff on Tuesday. March 17. Students will not have to attend school that day.
While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our school district at this time, we need to take proactive steps to prepare alternative learning options in the case of a multiple-day school closure.
The conference day will enable you to create supplemental materials for students that will support an “at-home” learning plan that will reinforce what students have learned in school. It will also allow us to plan for a possible extended closure as well.
As of Monday, March 16, we are postponing or canceling all events, trips and outside use of facilities until further notice. This includes the fitness center. We are announcing this decision in coordination with the state Department of Health (DOH). Scheduled events will resume when the Department of Health advises that it is appropriate to do so. Clubs may continue to meet after school, and spring season athletics teams may continue to practice as normal.
Our goal is to keep our schools clean and disinfected. Because of this, there will be no weekend badge access, starting the weekend of March 20, into the school buildings, except for people with pre-approved permissions.
All field trips are also canceled at this point and we will assess the situation as we move forward about possibly rescheduling those trips in the future. In addition, the Movie Night at the High School on March 20 and the musical are postponed as well. We will do everything we can to reschedule the events.
As with all matters related to public health, we will follow all guidance from the Montgomery County Department of Public Health, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the New York State Education Department in relation to this evolving situation.
Our deep cleaning measures are continuing. Please continue taking the precautionary measures recommended by the state health department to minimize the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Please remember the Centers for Disease Control and the New York State Department of Health are two of the best sources for accurate information about COVID-19/Coronavirus. You can find their websites here:
- NYSDOH Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus - Travel: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html
I appreciate all of your support and flexibility in this situation. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nick Fitzgerald
Superintendent of Schools