Just two days before our holiday break, we at South Seneca now have over 80 members of our staff and student population in mandatory quarantines as a result of contact tracing related to our three recent cases. In addition to these, we are informed of nearly thirty others in the school community who are now either COVID-positive themselves, or quarantined as a result of exposure to someone who is positive.
As we have been communicating since before Thanksgiving, when groups of staff and students are forced to quarantine at home for two weeks, it creates a substantial disruption to each of their own lives, and to the school program. Those in quarantine, again, have broken no rules, and have only been caught up in the tracing process. They go into quarantine to contain potential spread, which is necessary, but disheartening and inconvenient.
We know from all evidence that once again, there is a reasonable concern that those numbers may spike in the period immediately following the holidays. As a precautionary measure designed to prevent potential large numbers of quarantines into the new year, South Seneca will shift to a temporary fully remote model for instruction in the week after New Year’s Day, January 4 through January 8.
Students should prepare for the week as a school week, and not as an extension of the vacation. Teachers will be in touch to arrange a class schedule. Contrary to the week we went remote after Thanksgiving, there is still a possibility for us to operate small groups of organized activities, such as the highly controlled athletic workouts, etc. Coaches will be in touch with athletes about those arrangements.
We understand that being fully remote can pose a burden on working families, and we encourage those with concerns to reach out to our offices for help. This measure is intended to prevent an even longer burden, as families in quarantine have communicated to us. If the numbers of positive cases and widespread quarantines were to reach a critical threshold, the shift to remote learning could keep us out of the buildings for weeks at a time, which is what we’d like to avoid.
We urge our community to continue to follow all guidelines for staying safe, and we wish full recovery for those having already tested positive.
Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation.
On Saturday, South Seneca received information from the Seneca County Health Department that two of our elementary school students had tested positive for COVID-19. The two students are members of two different grade levels, and last attended in-person on Tuesday, December 15.
As with all cases in our school community, we are collaborating with the Health Department to facilitate contact tracing and any necessary quarantines. We also collaborate with the Department to make determinations about any closures that might be appropriate. Anyone who is to complete required steps as a result of potential exposure is being contacted by the Health Department or by the school district for instructions.
In this case, because of the timing of the onset of symptoms, contact tracing has resulted in a very large number of quarantines for both students and staff in Interlaken. Out of an abundance of caution, the Elementary School will move to a fully remote model of instruction for the three days leading up to our break: Monday, December 21 through Wednesday, December 23. The Middle-High School was not impacted in this case and will continue as planned with our hybrid model this week. We will revisit our status over the next several days and will communicate any further adjustments to our school calendar as they are decided. On Monday, the district will work to distribute Chromebooks to elementary students as needed for participation in classes.
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.
We join all our colleagues, both in the school setting and out, to continue to urge everyone to take the risks associated with the pandemic seriously, and to do all you can to minimize your own chances of exposure to the virus. This includes diligent wearing of face coverings in public spaces, attention to social distancing, and good regular hand hygiene, along with the use of caution when planning any holiday travel or gatherings.
Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation.
Seneca County will be running asymptomatic testing sites every Monday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. starting this Monday, December 21.
There is no cost for this testing and results will be available immediately.
Pre-registration is required at the following link: https://apps.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?OpID=9900120
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
Happy Veterans Day! We are grateful for all those who have served our nation!
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.
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!
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.
This week is School Board Recognition Week! We would like to take this opportunity to thank the South Seneca Board of Education for their service and dedication to our district! #ForeverFalcons
The SSCD needs to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education!
Candidates should send a short bio and a letter of intent to: District Superintendent Steve Zielinski - szielinski@southseneca.org or Board President Peter Jennings - pjennings@southseneca.org. The Board is planning to conduct interviews in early November.
South Seneca needs substitutes! If you are interested in being a substitute teacher, aide, assistant or nurse reach out to Shelley Reynolds, (607) 869-9636 ext. 4147 or sreynolds@southseneca.org
Get involved! Serve on the board of education! For more info reach out to: District Superintendent Steve Zielinski - szielinski@southseneca.org or Board President Peter Jennings - pjennings@southseneca.org
The South Seneca Board of Education will hold a special board meeting on Monday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the MSHS Auditorium in Ovid, for the purpose of discussing fall athletics for students.
Please be reminded that all those who attend will be asked to complete our health screening and must have a measured temperature under 100. Face coverings must be worn at all times while indoors and we ask that attendees maintain proper social distancing when seated in the auditorium.
If you haven't already, download the South Seneca CSD app to keep up with all the latest updates from the district! If you have the app, make sure you go to SETTINGS to turn on notifications and select which groups you need to receive notifications from.
At its September 16 meeting, the South Seneca Board of Education voted not to participate in the fall athletics season this year, in the interests of the health and safety of our students. The board will revisit participation in a winter season at its November meeting.
Hi everyone,
Below is a link to a news story with a two documents from our physical education department. Ms. Guinan and Mr. Ovenshire have been working very hard to make our PE classes as good as ever in this challenging environment.
Here is the link to the news item:
https://www.southseneca.org/article/308268?org=high-school
Thank you very much.
