On Monday, Nov. 23, health officials notified Central Valley that two individuals—one at Fisher Elementary and one at Jarvis Middle School—have tested positive for COVID-19.
Fisher case:
- The Fisher case impacts one teacher and one classroom of students.
- Fisher Elementary will remain open as normal.
Jarvis case:
- The Jarvis case impacts one classroom of seventh grade students and several teachers.
- All seventh graders will learn remotely until Dec. 3.
- Life Skills and 15-1 class will attend in person.
- Grades 5, 6, and 8 will attend as normal.
- Other school staff will report as normal
Neither case involves bus transportation. Central Valley has shared class lists with the Herkimer County Public Health Department to facilitate contact tracing. Public Health, with assistance from school officials, will notify the families of students who may have been exposed.
Seventh grade to be remote until Dec. 3
All of seventh grade will learn remotely; they will resume their regular schedules beginning on Thursday, Dec. 3.
"We are pivoting to a new part of our COVID plan," said Superintendent Jeremy Rich.
"Those affected seventh grade teachers and all of our seventh grade students will teach and learn remotely. They were virtual to begin the year, so we expect the temporary change will be easier to manage. All other Jarvis students and staff will report to school as usual."
Under current guidance, anyone who tests positive and everyone in that person’s household must quarantine. Anyone who had direct contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more) must also quarantine.
How quickly will I know if my student was exposed?
The Herkimer County Public Health Department contacts families as quickly as possible. The department has limited resources, so that can take one or more days before everyone is notified.
What role does the school play?
Central Valley does not decide who is tested or quarantined. We simply notify the Herkimer County Public Health Department when we learn of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. We also provide the health department with information to assist with contact tracing and follow health department instructions to protect students and staff. We share that information as it becomes available. Please understand that we adhere to all laws protecting personal information.
Does student learning continue during quarantine?
Yes, we are prepared. We designed our current learning model so that we could pivot in a case such as this. Many of our teachers already teach a mix of in-person and virtual learners. Our students have practiced the skills they need to learn at home. Our teachers and quarantined students should have little problem continuing teaching and learning. Students will join a classroom and receive instruction over the internet. If your family does not have internet access, please reach out to your school principal. Most Central Valley students have a district-issued Chromebook. If they do not, students in quarantine will receive one.
Is my student safe?
Central Valley is following all guidance to keep our school family safe. We wear masks, social distance, and sanitize regularly. We keep students in smaller groups and do our best to avoid mixing those groups. We maintain careful records to help contact tracing in case of possible COVID-19 exposure. As an additional precaution, our staff is spending extra time to deep clean and sanitize any areas used by students who had primary contact with the COVID-positive student. Although no system is perfect, we are diligent in our efforts to protect students and staff.
Please feel free to contact your school principal or Superintendent Jeremy Rich with any questions or concerns.