STAR JOURNAL STAFF

Students and staff at Crescent Elementary School will be wearing face coverings at least until Oct. 13.  Superintendent Eric Burke notified parents last week and noted in his weekly address Monday to the community that Oneida County and the school district’s geographic area continue to be in a high transmission category.

Overall, Burke said, the numbers of students and staff in the school district are slightly lower than late last week. As of Monday, 16 students in the district were positive with COVID; nine at Crescent, five at the high school, two at the middle school and 53 students in close contact quarantine. One staff in the district has tested positive, and four are out as close contacts.

District nurses and administration meet daily to discuss COVID numbers and make decisions. Free PCR testing is available to all district staff, students and families outside the Hodag Dome 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“We believe that testing program, contact tracing and current mitigation measures provide the school district with the best opportunity to keep in-person learning and offer all the wonderful learning and activity opportunities for our students,” Burke said.