More Local Schools Close over Coronavirus Caution
The Peekskill and Lakeland school districts closed Wednesday for issues related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and Lakeland announced later on Wednesday that school would also be closed tomorrow, Thursday. On Wednesday night, Bedford, Yorktown and Byram Hills also announced school closures.
In Peekskill, Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Mauricio sent out a memo stating on Tuesday evening (March 10) district officials were informed that several students within one Peekskill schools’ family have been ordered to quarantine by health officials. As a result, “out of an abundance of caution,” all Peekskill schools and the District Office were closed Wednesday for a deep cleaning of all buildings and buses.
In addition, Mauricio stated there would be no out-of-district special services transportation, and the Music in Our Schools Month concert scheduled for Thursday, March 12 has been postponed.
Mauricio further stated “please take note that at this moment, we do not have any evidence of a confirmed COVID-19 case in our district (students or staff),” adding “I, along with district administrators, staff and city leaders, will reassess this situation throughout Wednesday and follow-up communication and guidance will be provided to our staff and families.”
Meanwhile, in neighboring Lakeland, also “out of an abundance of caution,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Stone stated all district schools would be closed Wednesday and later made the announcement about Thursday.
“While we do not have a confirmed case in our district (student or staff), we have been advised to close because of a direct connection,” Stone stated. “…We will be scrubbing and sanitizing all buildings and all buses.”
In Yorktown, there are no confirmed cases in town but the district said the virus has “moved closer” to town, leading to the district’s decision to close on Thursday.
Bedford schools announced Wednesday night that a Fox Lane Middle School staffer has been recommended to “self-quarantine” pending testing for the virus. School is closed Thursday and Friday.
The Byram Hills School District will be closed Thursday and the Superintendent’s Conference Day will occur virtually on Friday. On Wednesday the district learned that a Wampus teacher’s spouse has been exposed to a person with a confirmed case of the coronavirus.
“The spouse said he did not receive a mandatory quarantine order from NYS or Westchester County but is on a precautionary self-quarantine,” Superintendent Jen Lamia and Board of Education President Scott Levy said in a joint letter.
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