As COVID cases mount, school districts go remote in advance of Thanksgiving

At least eight school districts across the mid-Hudson Valley are closing the doors to their schools early for Thanksgiving break due to confirmed cases of COVID-19.

All of Millbrook's students and Arlington High School students were sent home early Thursday when the districts received positive reports of COVID cases in the morning Those schools will remain closed until after Thanksgiving weekend, Monday, Nov. 30.

That's the plan several districts are following, while engaging in remote learning on planned school days. However, some are already looking beyond the weekend.

Pine Plains announced its high school will stay remote until early January. Spackenkill plans for one of its schools to remain remote following Nov. 30, and warned parents other schools may also go that route.

School leaders have cited positive cases within school buildings, staffing shortages and an increasing infection rate across the region as the reason for full remote learning. 

According to state data and cases reported on district sites, as of Thursday public schools in the region have seen roughly 83 positive cases. As of Monday, the number was 49. 

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On Thursday, eight districts in Dutchess County notified families that either the entire district or individual buildings will go full remote through Thanksgiving.

"We have been in person learning for 10 weeks now and I believe, given the limitations, we are doing a great job providing a safe and wonderful learning experience," Dover Superintendent Mike Tierney said. "... Currently I have not made any recommendations or decisions about a prolonged closure after Thanksgiving, we will monitor the positivity rates and requirements needed for us to decide our next steps." 

Arlington, Wappingers take steps

In addition to its high school, Pine Plains Superintendent Martin Handler cautioned parents that grades pre-k through eighth may have to go into remote in one or more buildings with very little notice. 

"While here in Pine Plains we have only had one student positive case (a remote learner), one definite staff case, and one probable staff case, the virus has had a significant impact on the school system," Handler said in a letter to parents Thursday. "There have been numerous staff members and students who have had to undergo a (quarantine)... This has resulted in a staff shortage which, if increased may result in one or more of our schools switched immediately to full remote." 

On Thursday Arlington High School also announced a closure until Nov. 30. Interim Superintendent Larry Licopoli said 16 staff members and roughly 100 students are quarantining as a result of two positive cases. 

Wappingers made a similar announcement at Vassar Road Elementary School, however parents will be notified on Sunday as to when the district will reopen.

Red Hook and Hyde Park each closed one of their buildings until Nov. 30. The districts cited staffing shortages caused by positive cases as the reason for the closures at North Park Elementary School and Red Hook High School. The elementary school closed on Nov. 13, and the high school closed on Monday.

Spackenkill prepares for remote learning

In Spackenkill, Nassau Elementary School will be remote until it returns from Thanksgiving break. Superintendent Paul Fanuele said there "is a likelihood that our schools (and schools through the county and or state) will need to operate on a full remote schedule."

He said the district initially planned to expand its hybrid model with more in-person instruction, but the plan was put on hold until positive cases in the region decrease. 

"We may need to move to a full remote schedule in the not-so-distant future, we believe it prudent and reasonable to retain our current hybrid schedule for the time being," Fanuele said. "... When this COVID wave passes we can reassess and move forward with our in-school learning plan." 

Fanuele said his district is not looking to do a closure through the holiday season, but noted that if the situation calls for it, he will make that decision if necessary. 

"We are prepared to go full-remote if we have to but have not made that decision yet," He said. "Right now we are still monitoring the situation." 

Katelyn Cordero: kcordero@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4870; Twitter: @KatelynCordero.