The District learned today that an individual from the Long Lake Central School community has tested positive for COVID-19.

This case presents no exposure or risk to the school community, and we will continue with our normal in-person instruction tomorrow. We consulted with Hamilton County Public Health to make this decision, and due to the fact that there is no exposure or risk to our school community, they agree that we are good to continue with our regular in-person schedule.

Please note that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive.

The New York State Department of Health provides information about COVID-19, and the CDC offers tips to keep children healthy during this time. The New York State Department of Health produced a Pre-K to Gr 12 COVID-19 Toolkit which you might also find helpful.

Schools continue to utilize Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations on Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces to reduce viral transmission and keep our children and school personnel healthy and safe. Parents and family members can assist this effort by promoting healthy behaviors and following these practices:

• Stay home from school or work if you are sick, even if your symptoms are mild

• Wear a face covering

• Maintain physical distance

• Avoid attending or hosting gatherings with people outside of your household

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (or sleeve), and then throw the tissue in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Take care of your health overall - nutrition, sleep, hydration, etc.

Please continue to complete your health screenings each morning and monitor your family for COVID-19 symptoms. We appreciate your diligence with this daily routine. It is certainly a change in our daily routines, and also a shift in culture to stay home with symptoms that usually best describe a common cold. We often push through, but this year we just can't, and because everyone has taken this so seriously it has helped to keep our school community safe and our school open.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Ms. Noelle J. Short

Superintendent/Principal