January 27, 2021
Dear Catskill CSD Community,
I was notified today that an employee in our District’s maintenance department has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The employee last worked January 25. Our District assisted the Greene County Department of Public Health (GC DPOH) in conducting contact tracing within the school setting and we have reached out to all close contacts associated with this case to inform them they are to quarantine and await further direction from the GC DOPH. If you did not receive a direct communication from the school or GC DPOH, you do not need to take any action.
While I understand that you may want additional details, privacy laws prevent us from personally identifying individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The District continues to work closely with the GC DOPH and has followed all guidance provided by them. Because we have identified all close contacts associated with this case, the GC DPOH has cleared all Catskill schools to remain open for in-person hybrid Instruction.
Again, I want to reassure you that I take the health and safety of our children and staff very seriously. Any employee or student directed to quarantine due to testing positive for COVID-19 or by being identified as a close contact to a positive case must be cleared by the department of health before they can return to school. Our schools continue to follow all of the necessary health and safety precautions on our campuses, as outlined in our reopening plan. This includes mask wearing, social distancing, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting, and daily health screenings. Please continue to fill out our daily screening form and check your child’s temperature at home before they come to school. If they are not feeling well, please keep them home. Your cooperation with this screening and with our reopening plan is greatly appreciated and will help lead to a safer school environment.
In closing, if you have particular questions or concerns, you may wish to contact the GC DOPH at (518) 719-3600. In these challenging times, rest assured that the District’s priority is protecting the health, welfare, and safety of our students and staff while complying with government orders and guidance related to the opening of schools.
As always, I can be reached at (518) 943-4696 for questions as well.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools