Dear BCSD Parents and Guardians,
Over the last few days, we’ve received a few questions from parents about protocols regarding our COVID-19 guidelines that we want to clarify for the larger community.
We appreciate the questions and will continue to update you as they arise.
Q: Are there outbreaks of the virus in our buildings?
A: While cases of the virus have been reported to us by the Genesee County Health Department, only a small number of those cases resulted from a spread within our buildings. Most reported cases are due to a spread of the virus outside of school, and families have taken the necessary steps to quarantine. While this situation could change, we will report any significant issues directly to families.
In an effort to provide transparent information on COVID-19 cases reported throughout the Batavia City School District, going forward, each Monday, we will be posting the number of positive student and staff cases reported from the previous week on our website: BataviaCSD.org.
Q: How will families be made aware of cases within the schools?
A: We are working in collaboration with the Genesee County Health Department who is providing guidance when there is a positive case in any of our district buildings.
Once a positive case is identified, the Health Department determines who that child or staff member has been in contact with. From there, Health Department officials determine what action is warranted (i.e., testing, quarantine, etc.).
You will be contacted directly by the Health Department if your child was in contact with another person who has tested positive, and they will work with you to determine the next steps.
Q: Are there three students per seat on our busses?
A: Yes, there are three students per seat on our Jackson and John Kennedy bus runs in many cases. While we would have preferred to have enough busses to have separate bus runs for each building with fewer students on each bus, our transportation contractor has been unable to provide the necessary buses due to the nationwide bus driver shortage.
Q: What are you doing to try to get more busses?
A: We will continue to work with our busing contractor STA to find more opportunities to increase the number of buses servicing our district, including using subcontractors. But as of today, we don’t have a solution in place.
Q: Is it true that students are allowed to take mask breaks on busses?
A: We have advised our bus drivers to allow students to take brief mask breaks – especially on hot days. These breaks are permitted (but not required) to avoid students getting overheated. Weather permitting, we are also opening our bus windows.
As a parent, you can certainly advise your child not to remove their mask during these breaks.
As a reminder, if a student or staff member exhibits any COVID symptoms, they should not report to school that day and should contact the building nurse immediately.
Please reach out to your child’s principal if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Scott Bischoping
Interim Superintendent