Otselic Valley Central School District

November 19, 2020 Dear Parents/Guardians/Staff, The district recently learned that an elementary student has tested positive for COVID-19.  The student began exhibiting symptoms over the weekend.  Subsequently, a test for COVID-19 was administered by a health care provider.  Once the results were returned, it was determined that the student tested positive for the virus.  A family spokesperson recently provided the district with this information, and the district has been in touch with the County Department of Health. The student has not been in the building, and therefore not in contact with students or staff on school grounds since Friday, November 6th.  The student did not attend in person last week prior to the district moving to virtual/remote learning this week.  The student may return to in-person instruction once given clearance to return by the County Department of Health.  The soonest the district is scheduled to return to in-person learning is November 30th. Additionally, the district learned today that a staff member has recently tested positive for COVID-19.  The staff member began developing symptoms this past weekend.  However the staff member has not been in the building and in contact with students and other staff on campus since Tuesday, November 10th.  At this time, the County Department of Health is aware of the staff member, and the district will continue to cooperate and coordinate with the County Department of Health. Please note that the federal and state privacy laws restrict us from disclosing or confirming any personally identifiable information. We cannot identify anyone who has tested positive or release any additional information. Since the start of the school year, the district has been thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all portions of our school building that are in use by students and staff on a daily basis in accordance with guidance from the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (C D C). For details about our cleaning procedures, COVID prevention policies and more, please see our Reopening Plan at www.ovcs.org. Any additional questions, including information about testing procedures, can be directed to the Chenango County Health Department at 607-337-1660 and Madison County Health Department at 315-366-2361. Sincerely, Georgia Gonzalez Superintendent of Schools