We are aware of a confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the University at Albany. After conferring with the Albany County Department of Health, they do not recommend closing TVHS due to its proximity to the university. As this situation continues to evolve, we will remain in contact with local health officials and communicate any changes via our website, parent emails, robocalls and on our social media channels.
The school play scheduled to open March 27 has been cancelled, as well as the Murder Mystery event scheduled for March 13
A link to the distance learning schedule has been posted under “Parents & Students” on the website menu. We are working to confirm that all students have access to cameras, microphones and the Zoom videoconference software to participate in online classes should TVHS be required to close for an extended period of time.
Tech Valley High School and its component districts still do not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in our schools; however, we are preparing for the possibility of this occurring in many ways.
SUNY Closures
As some of you may have heard, the Governor announced that SUNY and CUNY schools will be moving to a distance learning model for the remainder of their semester. TVHS is not part of the SUNY system; we plan to remain open at this time. We are in close contact with the SUNY Poly campus and will
certainly notify you if there is any change.
Travel Related Concerns
- School-sponsored field trips have been cancelled until further notice.
- Students and staff returning from impacted areas will be required to be under quarantine for 14 days upon return. Please ensure that your upcoming travel plans do not put students at risk of quarantine.
Interventions at School
- Students who are sick should stay home. To that end, the perfect attendance recognition awards will not be given out for the foreseeable future.
- Students who show symptoms will be sent home and excluded from school for the quarantine period or until they are medically cleared to return to school.
- Students who show symptoms will be separated from other students and required to wear a mask while they are waiting for rides home.
- We have posted information about proper handwashing and cough etiquette around the school.
- The school is routinely cleaned and school staff will ensure that surface areas regularly used are disinfected regularly.
- Staff will assist students in the cleaning of their laptops and other electronic devices. Students and families should continue to sanitize their own devices regularly .
If Your Student is Enrolled in a School Closed Due to an Identified Case of COVID-19
- Students from closed schools who are asymptomatic and have not been exposed may attend TVHS if they have transportation. Students without transportation will be provided with a schedule that will allow them to attend classes through computer video conference or over the phone attend classes if the duration of their school closure is longer than 24 hours.
- If several component districts are closed, we may communicate the activation of a “Distance Learning Day” using the same methods we use to communicate snow closures (i.e. local news, School Messenger, social media, etc.). Students will be provided with a schedule that will allow them to virtually or telephonically attend classes if they are healthy enough to do so.
Student Needs
- Counseling services may be provided telephonically or virtually by appointment. Please contact Scott O’Leary ( soleary@techvalleyhigh.org ) or Laura Lee ( llee@techvalleyhigh.org ) to set up an appointment if needed
- Food services may also be provided for students who qualify for free lunch. Please contact Dr. Niedermeier if you need this service ( jniedermeier@techvalleyhigh.org ).
Upcoming Events
- The prom is still scheduled as planned at this time; however, we are requiring guests to submit permission slips at least two weeks in advance of the event. Students or guests who live in an area that is quarantined during the time of the prom, show symptoms, or who have recently traveled to an affected area will not be permitted to attend.
- The Sophomore/Senior New York City trip is cancelled.
- Planning for next year’s China trip is currently on hold until such time that travel to this heavily-impacted country has been deemed safe. I know that rapidly changing news and guidance can be stressful.
Please know that we continue to act out of an overabundance of caution for the health and well-being of students and staff.
We continue to monitor the latest guidance and information from the Centers for Disease Control, New York state and Albany County Departments of Health and the State Education Department. The health and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. We encourage our students and staff to continue using good hygiene habits, and most importantly, do not come to school if you are sick.
For more information and resources, visit www.coronavirus.gov.
Thank you for your continued support! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
James Niedermeier
Principal and Chief Academic Officer