December 8, 2020

Dear Families: 

We have been notified that a School 16 student has tested positive for COVID-19. This student was last in school on Wednesday, December 2.

While we understand that you might like additional details, due to privacy laws, we cannot release any identifiable information about the individuals or affected students.

The District is working closely with the Rensselaer County Department of Health (DOH) to conduct thorough contact tracing and has already reached out to the affected students and staff with specific quarantine instructions.  If you are not contacted by a representative of the District or Department of Health, there is no further action needed on your part. 

Due to a staffing shortage relating to DOH issued quarantines for this case and others, all School 16 students will be learning remotely Wednesday, December 9 – Friday, December 11. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out with further instructions. In-person learning will resume on Monday, December 14. All School 16 students will go home with devices today and should bring them back to school on Monday.  

Please be reminded that we must all work together to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Families and community members can assist our efforts by promoting healthy behaviors and following these practices: 

  • wearing masks, 
  • social distancing, 
  • practicing good hygiene, and 
  • limiting group gatherings

As always, the health and safety of students and staff is our top priority and we appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,

John Carmello
Superintendent of Schools