Long Island School Districts Postpone In-Person Learning

LONG ISLAND, NY — Two Long Island school districts that had planned to open for in-person learning this week will now start the year remote.

In Carle Place, four students tested positive for the coronavirus, school officials announced Friday. At the time, the district said it still planned to start in-person classes Wednesday. But on Monday, those plans were put on hold.

"We regret to inform you that we have made the extremely difficult decision to delay in person instruction for all buildings until further notice," Carle Place Superintendent Christine Finn said in a letter to parents."As you know, many of the positive COVID-19 cases appear to be related to attendance at end of summer parties.

"Since our last communication with you, we have learned that some of those testing positive have had close or proximate contact with other students throughout our district. As such, we have no choice but to put the safety of our staff and students first. As we are learning the hard way, the actions of a few can impact the many."

Carle Place will start remote learning Wednesday.

"Our thoughts are with our friends in Carle Place," Elwood Superintendent Kenneth Bossert tweeted. "The reopening plan is only as good as the implementation. The chain is only as strong as its weakest link. We must all do our part. All day. Everyday. It truly takes a village."

The Southold School District is also postponing in-person learning.

Southold Superintendent Anthony Mauro said Sunday the district was notified by two employees that they had tested positive for COVID-19.

On Monday afternoon, the Suffolk County Department of Health determined the majority of the district's employees were required to quarantine for 14 days from the date of the district's pre-opening meetings, which took place on two days last week, Mauro said.

Southold now plans to open for in-person learning Sept. 18.

The Riverhead Central School District opened its doors to students and staff last Thursday. Over the weekend, the district was notified that two siblings from Aquebogue Elementary School had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Suffolk County Department of Health confirmed the cases and directed the teachers and students in the cohorts of those classes to quarantine for 14 days, effective immediately, Riverhead Interim Superintendent Christine Tona said.

Learning will continue remotely for the affected students, she said.

Over the past week, there have also been confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Islip, Bellmore-Merrick, Smithtown and Sewanhaka school districts. Those districts still plan to start the year with students in class.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently said he considered colleges the "canary in the coal mine" after a COVID-19 outbreak at the State University of New York at Oneonta — and said he was concerned that similar outbreaks could take place in K-12 schools.