OCSD closed Friday, March 12 after planned vaccinations

March 9, 2021

Dear Oswego City School District Community,

I am writing to share that on this upcoming Friday, March 12, 2021, the district will be employing an emergency closure day. This will result in the closure of all schools and no in-person or remote learning taking place.

Why is the district enacting this emergency closure?
The district is enacting this emergency closure because:

1. We have a higher than normal amount of staff members (approximately 100 or more) who will be receiving their second vaccination dose beginning this Thursday.
2. As our staff have received their second vaccination shots throughout this school year many of them (one third or more) have been experiencing vaccine-related side effects. These side effects have resulted in staff having to miss work.
3. Given the high number of staff who may be out this Friday due to possible side effects and the various district departments which will be affected by this (i.e. transportation, classroom teachers and support staff, security, food service, buildings and ground and maintenance, administration, etc.), the district is concerned that our operations will be impacted — making it difficult for us to provide our educational program as normal. Accordingly, we are enacting this emergency closure day on this upcoming Friday, March 12, 2021.
4. It should also be noted, all of our schools will be reopened on Monday, March 15, 2021.

Will students who attend BOCES programs still be transported to their program this Friday?
Yes, the district has secured drivers who will transport students to their CiTi BOCES programs this upcoming Friday.

Will the district still have any athletic events on this Friday?
Yes, the varsity boys ice hockey competition that is scheduled for this Friday will continue as planned. All practices, however, are canceled for the day but will resume Saturday.

Because we understand the associated planning that parents may need to put into place, we have chosen to share this information early with our community.

I appreciate your time and understanding as we continue to work with and meet the challenges of the pandemic. Should any of our parents or guardians have questions about this closure, they should contact their school principal directly for additional information.

Yours in Education,
Mathis Calvin III, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools