Donna Thompson|Times Telegram

The winter recess begins Dec. 23 for schools in the Herkimer BOCES area, but most of the component schools will be shifting to at least a day or two of remote instruction prior to that date, according to Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Superintendent Sandra Sherwood.

That includes Herkimer BOCES, which is planning to move to virtual instruction for Monday and Tuesday prior to the break as long as circumstances dont force the change prior to that time, Sherwood said. She hopes the two days combined with the winter break will allow BOCES programs to resume as scheduled Jan. 4.

It all depends on human behavior, she added.

Some districts have already switched to remote instruction as the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the resulting precautionary quarantines have created staffing problems.

More: 59 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday in Herkimer County

During a special meeting last week, the Central Valley school board decided to move all in-district students to virtual learning beginning Dec. 14. Superintendent Jeremy Rich called the meeting following an announcement from the Herkimer County Health Department that local COVID cases were rising faster than the department's resources could respond, according to a statement posted on the districts website.

Every time teachers are sent home (on precautionary quarantine), we have to fill the classrooms, said Rich in a video posted on the districts website. Were just running out of people. Weve been doing it and piecemealing it together, but were at a breaking point and it doesnt look like its going to get better.

Synchronous learning will be used with some students, allowing the teacher to see all of the students on the screen. The students can interface and interact with the teacher, Rich said. Weve practiced this and feel were positioned to make that happen.

He added, The goal is to return Jan. 4 with rested people, recharged people, and that we will have a full squad going into the second semester.

District residents have been asking when more students can return to in-person learning, he said. Of course that is our goal.

A plan is being developed to bring more students back by February, he said, but added We cant do this alone and we really appreciate your efforts as well.

Frankfort-Schuyler also shifted all of its students to remote instruction effective Dec. 14.

Unfortunately, even one case can have a dramatic impact on our staffing and ability to maintain continuity of instruction, as well as the cleanliness of our buildings, School Superintendent Joseph Palmer said in a statement posted on the districts website. He added that the district had received notification that another staff member tested positive for COVID-19. Although this is only our fifth positive staff case since we reopened, the contact tracing had a significant impact on the safe daily operations of our district. Due to contact tracing we currently are without 20 staff members. We share the same goal with our community and want to remain open for as long as possible; however, continuing in-person instruction under these conditions would be irresponsible. In-person and hybrid learning scheduled are expected to resume Jan. 4.

Herkimer Central School changed its calendar to make Dec. 21a remote learning day for all students and Dec. 22 a remote conference day for teachers with no instruction that day.

The district has only seen a couple of positive cases at the elementary school with a few more reported at the secondary level, but protocols put in place that include isolating classes and grade levels have minimized the impact, according to Superintendent Robert Miller. The district also hired six licensed teaching assistants who can step in to handle classroom teaching. Other staff members who do not have regular classroom assignments can also step in as needed.

We knew we could no longer hire substitute teachers, he said. So far the plan has been working, but Were all susceptible.

Owen D. Young and Poland Central Schools are scheduled to continue their regular schedules through Dec. 22.

Were taking it day by day with the hope of putting in six more school days, ODY School Superintendent Brennan Fahey said during a telephone interview Tuesday. He said the districts rural location is a plus, but he keeps in touch with Herkimer County Public Health and is continually evaluating the situation.

A day of remote learning is planned for Jan. 4 at ODY. The purpose is to make sure it is safe for students and staff to return to in-person instruction and to allow health officials time to contact the school with any information they have following the holidays, according to Fahey.

The Little Falls City School District went to fully remote learning after the Thanksgiving break and plans to continue through January. Superintendent Keith Levatino cited the rise in cases across the region as the reason for the decision.

At Dolgeville, the remote learning period for all students went into effect Nov. 30 with the goal of returning to the regular schedule Dec. 14. That date has been postponed with remote instruction through Dec. 22 and resuming Jan. 4-8. In-person instruction is scheduled to start again Jan. 11. A statement on the districts website cited the increased number of students and staff with positive tests or precautionary quarantines.

Richfield Springs Central School moved its 7-12 students to all virtual learning effective Dec. 7 until the holiday break, while Mount Markham students at all grade levels shifted to remote instruction effective Dec. 9, continuing until the holiday break.

West Canada Valley plans to move to remote instruction for Dec. 21 and 22 and continue it for the week of Jan. 4-8. Extracurricular activities are postponed until Jan. 11. The decision was made after consultations with Herkimer County Public Health and state personnel, according to a posting on the districts website.

Donna Thompson is the government and business reporter for the Times Telegram. For unlimited access to her stories, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.Email her at donna@timestelegram.com.

See the rest here:
Most Herkimer County schools shifting to remote learning - The Times Telegram