Even during the pandemic, South Seneca has been supportive of college students who are studying education, as they must gather field experience in classrooms as a requirement on their way to their degrees. Today, we were informed that one of the college students who spent time in our Middle-High School building last week tested positive for COVID-19. This student observed all appropriate safety measures while in our building, but it is likely that those who had extended exposure time will be subject to quarantine as the contact tracing process around this case is completed. The last time the student was in the building was Friday, December 11. In accordance with our established protocols, we are in close contact with the Seneca County Health Department to make all determinations about any closures that might be appropriate on a case-by-case basis. No portion of our program will need to be closed as a result of this case, although some quarantines of some individuals is expected. We know the community understands that personal identifying information about those testing positive is protected under privacy laws, so we are unable to share those particular details. As the holiday season and colder weather approaches, and while infection rates are increasing over the last few weeks, we continue to urge our school community to take all necessary precautions. Please heed the warnings about indoor gatherings, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and seeing regularly to hand hygiene. Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation.
After some time with classes being virtual, we have students back in our classrooms again today!
The South Seneca Board of Education will meet Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the MSHS auditorium in Ovid. The agenda will include a presentation on the 2021-22 budget and other new business.
We are so grateful for our falcon family, all students and faculty! Have a wonderful and healthy holiday! Happy Thanksgiving! #ForeverFalcons
Attention South Seneca Community: please be aware that the district will move to a full remote model for instruction in the week immediately following the Thanksgiving break. Teachers and our two building offices will be sharing more information in the days to come.
The November BOE meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at 6:30pm in the Interlaken Auditorium. Presentation will be on winter athletics updates from the section and the state. The board will make a decision at this meeting about aligning with Section V this winter.
November 16, 2020
This past weekend South Seneca received information that one of our elementary school students had tested positive for COVID-19. In this case, the last attendance day for the student was Monday, November 9. We are in contact with the student’s family, and are hopeful that symptoms remain mild.
In accordance with our established protocols, we immediately notified the Seneca County Health Department to make all determinations about any closures that might be appropriate on a case-by-case basis, and if the report means that contact tracing or quarantines are expected.
In this case, because the student has not been in attendance since last week Monday, the Seneca County Health Department has advised that it is not necessary to close any aspect of our current in-person instructional schedule. The Department has determined that the student was not infectious on that date.
We know the community understands that personal identifying information about those testing positive is protected under privacy laws, so we are unable to share those particular details.
As the holiday season and colder weather approaches, and while infection rates are increasing over the last few weeks, we continue to urge our school community to take all necessary precautions. Please heed the warnings about indoor gatherings, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and seeing regularly to hand hygiene. Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.
November 12 update: law enforcement has advised that we are safe to run our after school intramurals program this afternoon. Given that information, intramurals are on for today.
We remain in constant contact with law enforcement related to the continuing search for escaped parolee Kevin Witt. As the scope of the search is now widened out beyond the district, South Seneca will be open today, Thursday November 12 for in-person instruction. We will operate using our "lock in" model to begin the day, and for as long as necessary, while the search continues.
Happy Veterans Day! We are grateful for all those who have served our nation!
Please be aware that the South Seneca Elementary and Middle-High Schools will operate using fully remote instruction Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Law enforcement is blocking roads in the district in the search for an escaped parolee from the Willard Drug Treatment Campus.
We've launched a new Local and Regional Pandemic Resources page on our website, to track the developments in and around the district as we operate our hybrid learning model. Find the new page in the District Info menu at www.southseneca.org - and stay safe everyone!
South Seneca will be holding the first of a series of meetings for parents and guardians of seniors to make sure we are doing all we can to make this school year memorable for our senior class! The meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the MSHS auditorium.
Topics will include social event plans, opportunities for college bound seniors (including athletes), opportunities for those planning to go right to the workforce or military and ways to do "Senior Spotlights" throughout the year.
The meeting will be recorded for those who cannot attend in person.
The South Seneca Board of Education will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 5pm in MSHS Room 100. The board is pursuing an appointment to fill its vacancy.
Interim Commissioner Betty Rosa announced today (November 5) that the January Regents Exams in 2021 are cancelled due to the pandemic. The State Ed Department is implementing guidelines similar to those addressing the spring and summer 2020 exam cancellations.
Stay safe this Halloween! There are lots of ways to enjoy Halloween while helping keep your family and community safe. Remember to always wear a cloth mask (costume masks are not a substitute for cloth masks), stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you and wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. For more CDC guidance visit this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween
Virtual classes are doing virtual spirit week! Check out this class doing crazy hat and hair day!
With contact tracing complete related to our most recent case of COVID-19 in the high school, and necessary quarantines in place, South Seneca will return to our in-person instructional model on Monday, October 26. Thank you to the Seneca County Health Department for their diligence in this matter on behalf of our community!
Please be advised: The South Seneca Central School District will move to fully remote instruction for Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22. We will continue to share updates as soon as there is new information to announce.
Early dismissal Tuesday Oct 20 for Middle-High School (12:45pm) and Elementary School (2:15pm). District will move to fully remote instructional days Wednesday October 21 and Thursday October 22, as we have received word of a second positive COVID test in a week in our high school population. Please watch for more announcements as we gather information.
