Updated Jan. 18: Grades 7-12 self-contained classrooms at WJSHS will be in-person this week (Jan. 19-22).
We learned over the weekend of seven additional confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in our district.
- Five cases involve members of the Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School community. Two of those cases are individuals in our remote learning program that did not require contact tracing.
- Two cases are associated with members of the Watervliet Elementary School community. As a result, this week two classrooms will switch to remote learning until Jan. 21, and one will be remote through Jan. 22.
School administrators have reached out to all individuals considered contacts of these new cases about the need to quarantine as a precaution, as per department of health guidelines.
Due to the number of precautionary quarantines resulting from these new cases, grades 7-12 will move to remote learning from Tuesday, Jan. 19 through Friday, Jan. 22.
- In-person teaching and learning will continue for prekindergarten through grade 5 at WES.
- Correction: Grade 6, grades 7-12 self-contained classrooms, and P-TECH classes at WJSHS will be in-person.
- Transportation will be available for high school students who attend Capital Region BOCES Career & Tech (CTE) programs.
School breakfast and lunch will be available for all remote learners at the following locations and times:
- Watervliet Elementary School, Main Entrance, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Watervliet Housing Authority/Joslin Apartments, 11:30-11:45 a.m.
24th St. and Whitehall - Watervliet Civic Center, 11:45 a.m.-12 p.m.
14th Street & 1st Avenue - Port Schuyler Gazebo, 12-12:15 p.m.
Corner of 3rd Avenue & 6th Street
It is important that in-person students and staff members continue to complete the district’s COVID-19 health screening/attestation every morning before entering school or boarding the bus.
In addition, please follow the COVID-19 safety precautions that we practice at school when you are away from school. These are intended to keep your family safe and help keep our schools open:
- Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet at all times from those you don’t live with.
- Always wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose when you are out of your home.
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently when out of your home. If you cannot use soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Don’t touch the eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands are clean.
- A reminder to please stay home if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose.
If you or your child are experiencing symptoms, contact your health care provider immediately. COVID-19 testing information is available on the Albany County Department of Health website or by calling the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at (888) 364-3065.
We thank you for your continued cooperation and flexibility as we make every effort to continue to provide in-person teaching and learning, especially for our younger learners, our special needs students and our students engaged in hands-on, project-based learning opportunities.
We will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 cases throughout this week and evaluate staffing levels with the goal of resuming in-person teaching and learning at all levels on Monday, Jan. 25.
(This message was shared with WCSD families and staff via One Call Now on Jan. 17)