Letter: Schools closed 1/7, remote 1/10
January 6, 2022Good afternoon OCSD families and community,
With COVID numbers and quarantines nearing 100 in total across the district, staffing and operations at Oswego City School District have been impacted. As of Thursday, more than 70 instructional staff members were out due to sickness, quarantine or other reasons with dozens more from transportation, nursing and other critical departments also unable to report. Because of this, we must alter our schedule for the next few days as follows.
Due to anticipated weather concerns for tomorrow along with a rise in COVID-related staffing issues, Oswego City School District will call an emergency/snow day on Friday, Jan. 7. No students or staff will report and there will be no classes virtually or otherwise. To allow ample time for those quarantined and ill to feel better and return to school, all students and staff will utilize our remote model Monday, Jan. 10 with a planned return to “in-person” learning Tuesday, Jan. 11.
CiTi BOCES CTE and specialized learning students will not attend programs Friday, Jan. 7 but will receive transportation as usual on Monday, Jan. 10.
Food services will still produce meals for students on Monday, and they can be picked up at the Oswego Middle School between 9-11 a.m. or 2-4 p.m. or have it dropped off at home with deliveries beginning at 7 a.m. and occurring throughout the day. Fill out the following survey to sign up: https://forms.gle/ECbZJqAzGJ2DH9fKA
In addition, as a number of athletic teams have already paused their season due to rising infection rates and quarantines, all athletic practices and games are canceled beginning Friday through the weekend. Varsity and JV teams will resume on Monday, Jan. 10 with modified and winter 2 sports returning Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Your student’s teachers will be in touch regarding Monday’s remote learning schedule. Should any further adjustments to next week’s schedule be needed, we will contact you as soon as that information is available.
I have also included below a procedure update related to indoor athletics and events, along with information about parent transportation, vaccination clinics and testing for those who need it.
New event procedure – Two guests per student
Because of this sharp rise in cases, OCSD will be implementing a procedure similar to last year where each student is limited to two (2) guests at indoor events including athletics and all other activities taking place on district grounds. This applies to both Buccaneer athletes and students visiting from other schools for athletic events. As a reminder, masking and distancing measures are also required at these events.
Get tested when sick and stay home
Oswego City School District continues to see a high positivity rate and staffing shortages affecting departments across the board. Please know that we continue to do everything within our power to keep our students “in-person” learning, but should it be necessary OCSD will extend its alternate plans for remote learning. Parents should have a backup plan in place should remote learning become needed for longer due to staffing or positivity rate concerns.
Additionally, regardless of vaccination status, should your child be experiencing any of the symptoms below please contact their school nurse to schedule a COVID test and keep them home to help stem the spread of sickness.
| Fever or Chills (100° F or more) | Shortness of breath/trouble breathing |
| Cough | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Loss of taste or smell | Muscle pain or body aches |
| Fatigue/feeling of tiredness | Headaches |
| Sore throat | Nasal congestion/runny nose |
Testing is available through the district for symptomatic students regardless of vaccination status, and unvaccinated students and staff can schedule weekly testing as well. Contact your school’s nurse for more information or to schedule a test.
Common question – Can I drop off/pick up my student?
We have received several questions about whether parents can drop off or pick up their students each day to avoid quarantines related to exposures on the bus. This has always been an option and we are happy to allow student pickup and drop-offs at each of our buildings. Please contact our transportation department at 315-341-2900 to let them know so they can adjust routes and driver plans accordingly.
Vaccination Clinics & Opportunities
As we continue to work through the pandemic, the district is continuing to collaborate with local health officials on vaccination opportunities that are being offered throughout our community.
Accordingly, the following is a list of Oswego County Department of Health vaccination clinic opportunities that are now being offered to parents and/or guardians and their children:
- Oswego County Health Department is offering vaccinations for ages 12 and up on Wednesdays and pediatric vaccinations on Tuesdays -https://health.oswegocounty.com/information/2019_novel_coronavirus/covid-19_vaccine.php
- Connextcare is offering vaccinations to anyone (even if they are not a patient) at their office and have pediatric vaccination clinics next week - https://www.connextcare.org/COVID19
- Other locations are also offering vaccinations such as Wayne’s Drugs, Walgreens, Walmart, etc. The following website allows community members to type in their zip code and find the nearest location to schedule an appointment - https://www.vaccines.gov/
Thank you for your time, understanding and anticipated cooperation as we continue to navigate and look out for each other during this pandemic. The health of our staff and children is always our number one concern, and any actions we take have that goal in mind.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s principal with anything else.
Yours In Education,
Mathis Calvin III, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
