Riverhead Schools Slated To Open Monday After Coronavirus Closure

RIVERHEAD, NY — Although Riverhead schools were closed Friday after a number of transportation department employees tested positive for the coronavirus, district officials said buses should be set to run again on Monday.

"Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with today’s emergency closure. We appreciate your flexibility as we navigate this challenge," said Christine Tona, interim superintendent at the Riverhead Central School District. "As you are well aware, COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease and unfortunately, a number of employees who work in the transportation department have tested positive or have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive and must be quarantined," she wrote in a letter to parents.

Tona said the district has been in communication with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and they have determined which students must be quarantined due to close contact with a positive case; the families of those students have been notified.

As of 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Tona said: "We feel that we can safely run our transportation department on Monday. Families and students should be aware that we may need to modify routes and adjust pick up times in order to accommodate a reduced number of staff. Families will be notified if their routes will be changed. Should additional positive cases occur, it is possible that we may not be able to provide transportation. If that should happen, we will not be able to open schools and the students will be instructed remotely. I will notify the community should any changes occur."

The health and safety of students and staff remains the highest priority, she said.

"Please remember the importance of wearing a mask when in contact with anyone outside of
your household and please avoid large gatherings when possible. With Halloween and other end-of-year holidays quickly approaching, it is vitally important we are all mindful of our actions and possible consequences of not following the recommended health guidance. Together we can keep our community as safe as possible."