Oneida City School District closes until April 13

The Oneida City School District has decided to cancel all instructional programs beginning Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 13.

As of Friday, Madison and Oneida counties do not have any confirmed positive cases.

“It is important to provide all of our students with equitable educational opportunities. With that in mind, as a precautionary measure, we have decided to alter our calendar and close our instructional programs beginning Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 13,” Oneida City School District Superintendent Mary-margaret Zehr said in an online statement.

“We know that our schools play an important role in providing stability and safety for our students, families, and staff, and we understand that an extended closing can pose a hardship for families. However, our leadership team believes this decision is in the best interest of our entire community’s health, safety, and well-being,” Zehr added.

In order to prepare for this closure, the district rescheduled its Superintendent’s Conference Day to Monday, March 16.

Officials said this will provide our instructional staff with time to prepare materials and plans for students to utilize while they are home.

“We will be communicating how we will be delivering educational materials to our students,” Zehr said. “While students are home, we

would ask that they not congregate unnecessarily. Our staff is working diligently to finalize plans for educational materials that focus on review of previously learned materials for our students.

“While we are closed, keep safe and have students work on educational materials that will be provided to you. We want to keep students engaged in their learning while we address this global pandemic.

“Students will receive instructional guidance that focuses on review materials rather than new instructional material. Please look for emails, phone calls and ‘regular’ mail directing you to important information that pertains to your child’s academic progress over the next few weeks.”

In addition, the district said it is working with its food service department to support students who are food dependent on the district. NYSED has provided guidance that schools may continue to provide breakfasts and lunches to children during school closures related to COVID-19.

“Over the next few weeks, we will continue to monitor this developing situation and continue to consult with regional colleagues and state health and education officials. We will update you with developments as they become available. Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to continue to provide academic opportunities and minimize disruption to our students, families, and staff during this unprecedented situation. As always, thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility,” Zehr said