Dear Stillwater Community,

I hope you all had a nice, relaxing holiday. I know this year looked different for many, but I hope you were still able to find some hope, peace, and joy in this season. As we turn the page into the new year, I am writing to let you know that the district has made the difficult decision to continue with remote instruction for all students in grades UPK-12 after the holiday break from Monday, Jan. 4 through Friday, January 15. We will resume our hybrid learning plan on Tuesday, January 19. I wanted to let you all know as soon as possible, as I know families have a lot to plan for during these remote learning periods. 

Since the beginning of the holiday break, our transportation department has been significantly impacted due to mandatory quarantines and at this time, the district cannot provide consistent transportation for students from Jan. 4 through Jan. 15. Eight individuals in the transportation department are either in isolation, on quarantine or are out for other medical reasons. Our instructional staff has also been significantly impacted by the virus as well, thereby creating coverage issues in the classroom. Due to COVID, we have been unable to secure substitute bus drivers and substitute instructional staff coverage. 

In addition, as cases rise in our school community (which you will see below) and in the county, we felt that everyone would be safer at home during what will most likely be a post-holiday surge. As always, the health and safety of our students and staff are our number one priority.

If your child is in need of meals during the remote learning period, please contact Food Services Director Joan Hopeck at jhopeck@scsd.org.

At this time, the district has confirmed with the Saratoga County Department of Health that nine individuals in our school community have tested positive for COVID-19 over the break. The cases include:

• Three individuals associated with the elementary school community
• Two individuals associated with the middle school community 
• Three individuals associated with the high school community 
• One individual associated with the transportation department

Since the district moved to remote instruction on Tuesday, Dec. 15, only one of the cases presented exposure to our school community. One individual associated with the middle school was last in the building on Monday, Dec. 14 and anyone who may have been exposed has been contacted.

With the rise in local and county infection rates, I want to encourage you all to remain vigilant, practice social distancing and avoid gatherings. Please remember, a majority of our COVID positive cases have not been due to school spread, but due to spread in the community. I want to thank those of you who have continued to follow guidelines and protocols both in and out of school, because when we do that, it is more likely that we will be able to keep our doors open to provide the supports our students need. We want our students to be able to come back and learn in our buildings as soon as possible. Again, as of right now, the plan is to resume hybrid learning for all students on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these difficult times. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s principal.

Sincerely,

Patricia Morris
Superintendent of Schools