'Understaffed' Port Washington School Goes Remote For 5 Days

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — Guggenheim Elementary School in Port Washington will shift to remote learning for five days beginning Monday as nearly one-fifth of its staff members quarantine due to the coronavirus.

In a letter and robocall to the community Sunday afternoon, Michael Hynes, superintendent of the Port Washington Union Free School District, said three more staff members tested positive for the coronavirus and about 20 percent of the staff is under quarantine.

"Unfortunately, even with the several additional staff members hired this summer, this is resulting in the district being understaffed at Guggenheim Elementary School," Hynes said. "Consequently, we've made the difficult decision that our students and staff will follow a remote schedule for five days, beginning on Monday, December 14th-Friday, December 18th."

Hynes said an increase in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus across Long Island is directly impacting the district.