2 Berner Middle School Eighth Graders Test Positive For COVID-19

MASSAPEQUA, NY — Eighth graders at Berner Middle School were forced into a remote learning model on Monday after Massapequa school officials announced Sunday that two eighth graders had tested positive for the coronavirus.

In a letter to parents and staff posted to the district’s website, superintendent Lucille F. Iconis announced the two positive cases and indicated that students would have to remain at home for at least Monday. Berner Middle School remained open for in-person learning for sixth and seventh graders, the letter stated. Privacy laws prevent the district from sharing any more information about the two confirmed cases, when they occurred or how the students became infected, Iconis wrote.

The letter stated that plans may need to change regarding the length that eighth graders will remain in the remote learning model if more cases are detected. Iconis said that the two students who became infected will remain in isolation at home until they have met all conditions set by the Nassau County Department of Health.

Iconis said that parents of any students who came into close contact with the two eighth graders would be contacted by the district on Monday and that county health officials would be conducting contact tracing of all identified students and that only parents of students who had come into contact with the two eighth graders would be notified.

“We are committed to providing our students and staff with a safe and healthy environment,” the superintendent wrote. “We will continue to closely monitor this situation and will provide additional information as needed.”