Akron Central High School returns to in-school after two days of virtual instruction

High School students at Akron Central return to the classroom on Wednesday, September 29, earlier than they expected after transitioning to what was expected to be ten days of virtual learning.

Late Sunday afternoon, Superintendent of Schools Patrick McCabe issued a letter to the District sharing that guidance available to the District last Wednesday when they pivoted to virtual learning through October 4 changed abruptly, making it possible for students to return to the classroom sooner.

“In light of the significant number of anticipated quarantine orders and under the recommendation of the Erie County Department of Health, we had little choice but to make the decision to transition to remote learning for five days of instruction at the High School last Wednesday evening. The following day, and without warning, the ECDOH abandoned its guidance plan (and quarantine requirements) for schools in favor of the New York State Department of Health Guidance for classroom Instruction,” McCabe wrote. “Under the NYSDOH guidance, and unlike the ECDOH guidance, there is no provision to quarantine an entire classroom or bus if there are 2 or more positive cases of COVID-19 detected over a 10 day period. This change in quarantine requirements allows us to return to in person learning at the High School sooner that we had initially planned.”

McCabe stated that the District is working aggressively to respond to the recent cases of COVID-19 and overcome the challenges faced in the last week.  He asked for “acts of self-discipline and a collective resolve to do all that we can to maintain in person learning,” and noted that “there is work that we all must do to ensure that we are able to mitigate the spread of the virus in school, keep students and staff safe, and maintain in person learning.”

In person learning will resume at the High School on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. Any student that was notified by the ECDOH or school nurse to isolate or quarantine must continue to do so until they have reached their individual designated return date.

Monday and Tuesday were required days of attendance and virtual learning was provided with the normal schedule being followed.

Monday and Tuesday were used to perform a deep cleaning and disinfection of the building.  Cafeteria spaces were modified and additional spaces used in order to keep students the recommended 6 feet or more apart while eating.

A new COVID-19 case dashboard is posted on the website.  This tool increases transparency and will help monitor the rate of COVID-19 spread in schools.

The District has partnered with the Erie County Department of Health to offer free screening and proximal testing to any student or staff member who would like to participate. McCabe believes this strategy will aid in early detection.

All  students, staff and visitors are encouraged to follow all mitigation strategies such as wearing a mask, practicing frequent hand washing, maintaining appropriate social distancing, and staying home if experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms.   The District is working with a third party vendor to offer weekly COVID-19 tests to those employees who are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.62.

“We are asking everyone (parents, students and staff) to understand that many of the symptoms may initially be mild. However, take precautions and don’t come to school or work if you are not feeling well,” McCabe said.

“Please take precautions and do what you can, both in and out of school, to help stop the spread of this terrible virus. Every person in our school community is valued. That includes our students, staff, parents, guardians and other family members. As a community, we have an obligation to contribute to the well-being of our neighbor.  One of the great things about our District is that this actually happens on a daily basis. My intention is to simply reinforce that message and thank you for doing your part to make our schools and classrooms safe and wonderful places to be.”

Superintendent McCabe reported to Board of Education members during their September 22 meeting, that numbers of COVID-19 cases in the High School and evidence that it is being transmitted in the school setting, had reached a level that Erie County Health Department required the move to virtual learning for ten days. 

As of last Tuesday, 17 positive cases were reported in the High School with 55 students required to quarantine.  Two cases in the same extracurricular resulted in 26 quarantine orders.

McCabe told the Board that an addition 13 High School classes and the 154 students in them were impacted by new cases he learned about on Wednesday afternoon, and that the Commissioner of Health informed him of the need to go virtual.  McCabe also said the Commissioner provided him with evidence that the spread is coming within the school.

District totals for the first 12 days of school are 24 positive student Cases, 2 confirmed and 3 suspected waiting for confirmation Staff cases, and 108 quarantine orders as of September 21.  That total rose to 27 students on Wednesday, with addition quarantines.  Quarantine of over 175 and possibly 200 students is expected.

School as usual Thursday

Students reported to school as scheduled on Thursday, September 23 to receive expectations from teachers, as well as to gather materials, chromebooks, and chargers they will need while learning virtually.  High School students did not have in-school or on-line instruction on Friday, as teachers prepared for virtual learning beginning Monday, September 27 through Monday, October 4, then shortened to September 29.

While the High School was virtual all sports were on pause with the Athlete Director working to reschedule as many as possible.

Homecoming Week is now October 18 to 22.

Elementary School and Middle School students continued to attend in school five-days a week.  Over 11 days of school, the Elementary School had 6 positive cases with 42 students required to quarantine.  Two of those cases were in the same room resulting in 21 students required to quarantine.  Prior to last Wednesday’s meeting there were 2 positive cases in the Middle School with 12 students required to quarantine.

Numbers of confirmed cases at ACS, as well as the number of students who are quarantined due to close contact are higher than at any time since the Pandemic began, McCabe told the Board.  Monitoring continues in the Elementary and Middle School.

While the High School was fully remote there will be a deep cleaning of the facility.