October 22, 2021
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Each time we are notified of a positive COVID case among our students and employees, we begin our contact tracing protocols. This is completed at the building level. Our desired outcome for contact tracing is to stop potential spread of the virus. One step is having students and employees who have been exposed contacted as soon as possible so they stay home. This is why, though not required to, C-A and school districts across NY have been assisting our county health department in this step.
When we are notified in the evening or on a weekend or holiday it takes more time to complete contact tracing since we may not be able to verify seating arrangements and other factors that determine exposure. We often share our lists with the county health department so they can begin their job of contacting families. Sometimes this may mean the county personnel are first to communicate to the family. The end result is the same; the student stays home limiting the potential spread of the virus.
Another potential situation is we are notified at night, or early morning and students riding the bus are impacted. This may mean the bus driver is the first person to contact the family. Again, the end result is the same; the student stays home limiting the potential spread of the virus.
We appreciate your understanding as we manage the pandemic in order to keep everyone in our schools safe and healthy.
Thank you,
Randall Squier
Superintendent of Schools