We learned today, Sunday, Nov. 29, that a second member of the Watervliet Elementary School community has tested positive for COVID-19. School administrators are reaching out to families and staff who are contacts. As a precaution, all UPK to grade 5 students and Miss Shannon’s class will move to remote learning beginning tomorrow Monday, November 30 through Friday, December 4, as per health department guidelines. This step also will allow the elementary school building to undergo a deep cleaning and sanitizing.
We are working closely with the Albany County Department of Health to identify all potential contacts of the individual. The Department of Health will reach out to those contacts and advise on the need to quarantine or arrange testing, if necessary.
Please keep in mind that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws do not allow the district to disclose or confirm any personally identifiable information; therefore, we cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.
Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School will be open for in-person learning for grades 6-12, as per the regular schedule on Monday, November 30.
All WES learners and staff should log in to their Chromebooks or laptops for virtual class meetings and activities as scheduled, like they did during the Remote/Virtual Learning Practice Day last Tuesday.
NOTE: This does not affect the 3-year-old prekindergarten program at the old Maplewood School. In-person early prekindergarten (EPK) students should report to the program as scheduled.
School meals will be available for students at the following locations and times:
- Watervliet Elementary School, Main Entrance, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Watervliet Housing Authority/Joslin Apartments, 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
24th St. and Whitehall - Watervliet Civic Center, 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
14th Street & 1st Avenue - Port Schuyler Gazebo, 12-12:30 p.m.
Corner of 3rd Avenue & 6th Street
It is important that students and staff members continue to complete the district’s COVID-19 health screening/attestation every morning before entering school buildings.
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.
- Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
- 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.
Additionally, testing for symptomatic students is available through our Whitney Young School-Based Health Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please call 518-629-3270 to make an appointment.
(This information was sent to WCSD families and staff via One Call Now email on 11/29/20.)