December 31, 2020
Dear Catskill CSD Community:
Please allow this letter to serve as follow-up correspondence to my previous notifications (December 22, 2020 and December 30, 2020) with COVID related matters and the need to analyze the data with regards to Greene County’s infection rate. As of December 29, 2020, the county’s seven (7) day rolling positive rate was 9.7%. Two hundred one (201) residents are (active) positives and 505 residents are in quarantine. The following link will direct you to the Greene County website where you can find this information: www.greenegovernment.com. The COVID update section includes the latest data.
Due to the increase in the infection rate, I have made the decision to shift all Catskill CSD schools to fully-remote (virtual) instruction for the week of January 4-8, 2021. Again, there will be no in-person hybrid instruction. This will provide the District with additional time to monitor the data and prepare for on-site COVID testing for students and staff. Similar to the Reopening of Schools video, we are in the process of providing the community with a simulation of our COVID testing procedures and protocols. Our school nurses will be responsible for administering the tests.
Secondly, our 10-month instructional staff will work virtually from home. 10-month essential staff will be contacted by their supervisor to report to work. All 12-month staff will report to the District.
CTE, Heavy Equipment and New Visions students are permitted to continue with their in-person programming. Door-to-door transportation will be provided to students who attend the CTE and Heavy Equipment programs. Transportation for New Visions students will continue as normal.
We anticipate a return to in-person hybrid instruction on Monday, January 11, 2021. I will continue to monitor all COVID related data and provide updates as often as possible so that you can plan accordingly.
Lastly, it is imperative that you continue to communicate with us regarding any quarantines and / or positive COVID cases that may occur in your household. You can convey this information to your child’s principal or school nurse. Their contact information is listed below.
High School Email Telephone
Mr. Junait Shah, Interim Principal junaitshah@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-2300
Ms. Holly Hebb, Nurse hhebb@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-2300
Middle School
Ms. Kerry Overbaugh koverbau@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-5665
Ms. Sue Weber sweber@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-5665
Elementary School
Mr. John Rivers jrivers@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-0574
Ms. Diane Ashley dashley@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-0574
Ms. Meghan Jenkins mjenkins@catskillcsd.org (518) 943-0574
In closing, I wish everyone a Happy New Year. Please continue to be responsible and follow CDC protocols with mask wearing, social distancing and hand sanitizing. We continue to encourage staff and students to stay home if they are feeling ill and / or have COVID related symptoms. Again, we anticipate that in-person and remote instruction will resume on Monday, January 11, 2021. We ask that you continue to check the District’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.
As always, I can be reached at (518) 943-4696 for questions as well.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools