Dear parents/guardians,
The district learned today, October 14th that two members of the Greene Central School learning community at the MS/HS campus tested positive for COVID-19. These are the first positive test results in our school district.
We worked closely with the Chenango County Health Department to help them trace the contacts this person had in our school building. The fact that the district had a conference day on Friday and a holiday on Monday it contributed to less people being identified in the contact tracing in the district. Our school staff followed COVID-19 protocols at all times, in accordance with the district’s safety plan, and this helped to greatly limit the number of individuals who had contact with the person who tested positive as well. Within two hours, our local health department, working with our school staff, were able to successfully conduct all necessary contact tracing within our school community.
At this time, following the Chenango County Health Department recommendations, our district remains open with our in-person, hybrid instruction model. Our Reopening Plan and hybrid schedule are designed to reduce risk. We cannot eliminate all risk, especially outside of our school building. However, because we are so diligent in enforcing social distancing, mask wearing when social distancing is not possible, and encouraging hand washing and sanitation, our local health department said the risk of secondary infections is extremely low. In addition, because our Reopening Plan tightly controls how many students and staff are in one location at any one time, health officials were able to act quickly and complete contact tracing.
A COVID screening is done for all students and staff members prior to the start of the school day and this will continue. Parents and staff are asked to complete the form at home before they come to school. Cooperation with this screening and with our COVID mitigation policies has been greatly appreciated and has helped lead to a safer school environment.
Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
Since the start of the school year, the district has been thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all portions of our school buildings that are in use by students and staff, in accordance with guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the CDC. For details about our cleaning procedures, COVID prevention policies, screening process, testing and more, please refer to our Reopening Plan on our website. Any additional questions, including information about testing procedures, can be directed to the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.
Sincerely,
Timothy M. Calice
Superintendent of Schools