Northern Adirondack Central School District
Office of the Superintendent
James C. Knight, Jr.
P.O. Box 164
Ellenburg Depot, New York 12935
518-594-7060 ● Fax 518-594-7255 ● jknight@nacs1.org
_______________________________________________________________________
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
NAC Families,
As a result of the continued surge in positive COVID-19 cases in Clinton County and the impact it is having on our hospital in Plattsburgh, the decision has been made to extend our current in-person learning “Pause” through Friday, January 29th. We are now planning to return to in-person learning on Monday, February 1st, however the situation surrounding us will continue to be monitored and further decisions may come about between now and then.
We will continue to re-evaluate the available data while working with the Clinton County Health Department and our neighboring districts to continue making informed decisions. Some have asked why these decisions are not made regionally, and it is because each school district has unique circumstances. However, for all of the school districts, the health and safety of our students, staff, and community remains our first priority.
The decision to remain closed for in-person learning is not one that comes easy, however with the increase in student and staff isolation and quarantine orders over the past two weeks would have prompted classes, staff, possible grade level, and possible school building or complete campus shutdowns without warning. It has been previously mentioned, but the emergency closures are our worst enemy, because we do not know who it may impact and what educational avenues may be halted. For example, if a teacher is isolated because they have tested positive, there is no guarantee that another teacher can fill in and produce and monitor the additional workload of that teacher’s assigned class. Therefor, trying to control the remote learning environment without emergency closures has been a priority during the known surge in COVID-19 in our area.
Please contact the school if adults or children in your home test positive or are quarantined due to exposure to a positive individual. Your diligence in this in helpful, especially now as the Clinton County Health Department is overwhelmed by the volume related to the surge in cases and unfortunately is less timely in communicating with us. We ask that you remain diligent about social distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing, for these are the things along with the vaccine that will help us in the long run.
Sincerely,
James C. Knight, Jr.