September 30, 2020

To Parents, Caregivers and Staff:

I want to alert you to a situation that took place this morning at the Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning - Port Ewen (CITL-PE) (Case # 20-005). 

A student entered the school site this morning having passed all our screening mechanisms, (survey and temperature checks).  During the morning, the student reported feeling ill and was sent to the school nurse.  The presenting symptoms were among those that are listed as potential symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.  The nurse assessed the student, isolated the student, and then according to our protocols, contacted both the principal and County Department of Health (UCDOH).

UCDOH recommended that the student be sent home to be evaluated by their personal care physician or the UCDOH.  Parents/caregivers were called, and the student was transported out of the building. The student will have to remain at home until we receive written notice clearing the student to return to school from their personal care physician or evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result. 

According to our protocols and procedures, and out of an abundance of caution, students who were in close contact (within six feet, with or without a mask for more than 15 minutes) with the suspected student, were isolated, and parents and caregivers were called to pick them up and given directions to monitor for symptoms.  Those students are to remain home until we receive the clearance noted above regarding the suspected student.  Such clearance could take as long as 14 days.  The staff who were in close contact were likewise sent home.  The class will pivot to remote learning for the duration of their stay at home.

The impacted classroom has been sealed and will be disinfected according to protocol. No other students or staff were in close contact with the suspected student.  All impacted classrooms will be disinfected.

I want to emphasize the importance of not coming to school or to any BOCES work location if you or in the case of a parent / caregiver, your student, exhibits any of the following symptoms,

Fever or chills	New loss of taste or smell
Cough	Sore throat
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing	Congestion or runny nose
Fatigue	Nausea or vomiting
Muscle or body aches	Diarrhea
Headache

or if you or your student, in the previous 14 days has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or anyone who is suspected of having COVID-19, or anyone who is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

If we hope to have any semblance of the continuity of in-person instruction, we will need everyone’s cooperation.

Sincerely,

Charles V. Khoury, Ed.D.
District Superintendent

Parent/Caregiver Communication from Dr. Khoury: September 29, 2020

To Parents, Caregivers and Staff:

I want to update you on the COVID-19 suspected case at CITL-PE, from last week

We have received an update from the personal care physician clearing the student from COVID-19 and allowing the student to return to school.

As such that student, and all students and staff who were isolated can return to school tomorrow.

Thank you all for your understanding and patience, and as always…

I want to emphasize the importance of not coming to school or to any BOCES work location if you or in the case of a parent / caregiver, your student, exhibits any of the following symptoms,

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

or if you or your student, in the previous 14 days has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or anyone who is suspected of having COVID-19, or anyone who is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

If we hope to have any semblance of the continuity of in-person instruction, we will need everyone’s cooperation.

Sincerely,

Charles V. Khoury, Ed.D.
District Superintendent

Parent/Caregiver Communication from Dr. Khoury: September 29, 2020

To Parents, Caregivers and Staff:

I want to alert you to a situation that took place this morning at CTE. 

A student arrived at the school site this morning and reported feeling ill.  The student did not enter the building.  The student was evaluated by the school nurse.  The presenting symptoms were among those that are listed as potential symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.  The student was transported home by the parent.

We have informed the parent that the student be evaluated by their personal care physician or the UCDOH.  The student will have to remain at home until we receive written notice clearing the student from their personal care physician or evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result. 

According to our protocols and procedures, and out of an abundance of caution, students who were in close contact (within six feet, with or without a mask for more than 15 minutes) with the suspected student, were isolated, and parents and caregivers were called to pick them up and given directions to monitor for symptoms.  Those students are to remain home until we receive the clearance noted above regarding the suspected student.  Such clearance could take as long as 14 days.  No staff were in close contact with the symptomatic student.  The students who were in close contact with the student will pivot to remote learning for the duration of their stay at home.

I want to emphasize the importance of not coming to school or to any BOCES work location if you or in the case of a parent / caregiver, your student, exhibits any of the following symptoms,

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

or if you or your student, in the previous 14 days has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or anyone who is suspected of having COVID-19, or anyone who is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

If we hope to have any semblance of the continuity of in-person instruction, we will need everyone’s cooperation.

Sincerely,

Charles V. Khoury, Ed.D.

District Superintendent

Parent/Caregiver Communication from Dr. Khoury: September 24, 2020

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To Parents, Caregivers and Staff:

I want to alert you to a situation that took place this morning at CITL-PE.  

A student entered the school site this morning having passed all our screening mechanisms, (survey and temperature checks).  During the morning, the student reported feeling ill and was sent to the school nurse.  The presenting symptoms were among those that are listed as potential symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.  The nurse assessed the student, isolated the student, and then according to our protocols, contacted both the principal and Ulster County Department of Health (UCDOH).

UCDOH recommended that the student be sent home to be evaluated by their personal care physician or the UCDOH.  Parents/caregivers were called, and the student was transported out of the building. The student will have to remain at home until we receive written notice clearing him from their personal care physician or evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result.  

According to our protocols and procedures, and out of an abundance of caution, students who were in close contact (within six feet, with or without a mask for more than 15 minutes) with the suspected student, were moved to another classroom, isolated, and parents and caregivers were called to pick them up and given directions to monitor for symptoms.  Those students are to remain home until we receive the clearance noted above regarding the suspected student.  Such clearance could take as long as 14 days.  The staff who were in close contact were likewise sent home.  The class will pivot to remote learning for the duration of their stay at home.

The impacted classroom has been sealed and will be disinfected according to protocol. No other students or staff were in close contact with the suspected student.  All impacted classrooms will be disinfected. I want to emphasize the importance of not coming to school or to any BOCES work location if you or in the case of a parent / caregiver, your student, exhibits any of the following symptoms,

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• or if you or your student, in the previous 14 days has been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or anyone who is suspected of having COVID-19, or anyone who is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

If we hope to have any semblance of the continuity of in-person instruction, we will need everyone’s cooperation.

Sincerely,

Charles V. Khoury, Ed.D.
District Superintendent

Parent/Caregiver Communication from Dr. Khoury: September 11, 2020

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September 11, 2020

Dear Parents and Caregivers:

We are just one week away from welcoming students back into our school buildings.  The first group, all first-year students at CTE, HVPA, and Phoenix Academy and approximately 50% of our Special Education students, will be returning to our various campuses on Monday, September 21st.  All remaining students will continue with remote instruction for the week of September 21st, before their return to our campuses during the week of September 28th.  

In preparation for students returning to campus there are a few points that I want to emphasize.

1. No student should come to school at any time if they are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.  
2. Every student will have their temperature taken using our infrared camera system as they enter the building.  Anyone with a temperature of 100.0 or higher will, after verification by our school nurse, be isolated and parents/caregivers will be called to pick them up with directions to seek out your physician or the Ulster County Department of Health.
3. Appropriate face coverings are always required whenever on campus, except when eating or during scheduled “mask breaks”.  If a student does not have a face covering one will be provided by us.  
4. If a student is medically unable to wear a face covering you must submit a note signed by your personal care physician, identifying the specific medical reason(s) that the student is unable to wear a mask, and what accommodations would be acceptable (such as more frequent breaks, or face shields etc.) to our school nurse, before the first day of attendance.  Approved students may be required to receive their in-person instruction while isolated from other mask wearing students and staff.
5. All students (or their parents on their behalf) will be required to respond to a brief series of screening questions daily.  We have a website application to collect student responses and email and text reminders to complete the questionnaire will be sent out regularly by each building’s administration. Directions are attached to this letter.  Instructions for Accessing & Using the Ulster BOCES Screening App

I have included an informative pamphlet issued by the NYS Academy of Pediatricians regarding the use of face coverings with children for your information and use.  Pediatricians Answer Top 10 Questions Regarding Masks in Children

Sincerely,

Charles V. Khoury, Ed.D.
District Superintendent