A seventh grade student at the Seneca Falls Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19 and two grades will temporarily move to remote learning as result.
The news was announced in a letter to parents, guardians, and the community.
“We learned this morning that one of our Seneca Falls Middle School seventh grade students tested positive for COVID-19. The student last attended school on Thursday, December 3, 2020. Upon learning of this positive case, we immediately contacted the Seneca County Department of Public Health (SCDPH),” the district said in the statement. “Through the contact tracing process, we are currently identifying and notifying all staff members and parents of students who must quarantine. The staff members and students who have been ordered to quarantine are currently leaving the school building under the directive of SCDPH. As all of you know, per privacy guidelines, no additional identifying information can be shared.”
Staff and students that need to quarantine will be notified directly by the Seneca County Health Department. “If you are not contacted, no further action is required on your part. As this is an ongoing and fluid situation, we will continue to work with the SCDPH to monitor and adjust our response as needed. As always, please be aware of any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 as they can occur up to seven days after exposure,” the school added.
However, this all means that two grades will need to go remote for the next week, as the district deals with fallout from the positive test.
“Due to the number of staff members impacted by this case and additional circumstances, all 6th and 7th grade students will be transitioning to distance learning starting tomorrow, Wednesday, December 9th through Wednesday, December 16th,” the district added in its statement.
This means 6th and 7th grade students will not report to the Middle School through Wednesday, December 16th. These students will remote into classes each day following their normal schedule. Teachers are communicating to students, through email or Google Classroom with the directions they will need to remote into their classes.
“Please remember that just because someone is quarantined does not mean they are positive for COVID-19. The quarantines are for precautionary purposes and meant to control the spread of COVID-19,” the district added. “If we continue to practice proper hand hygiene, physical distancing, avoid social gatherings, and wearing face coverings, we will minimize the risk of spread and exposure. Safeguarding the health and safety of our schools and their programs starts with each of us individually. Please continue to practice these safety precautions and take our daily health screenings and respond accordingly so that we reduce the chance of infection to others.”
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