BREAKING: Oswego elementary school to return to remote learning due to COVID-19 outbreak

An Oswego School District 308 elementary school will return to full remote learning for three days prior to the Thanksgiving break due to a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases among students and staff.

In a letter sent to parents Nov. 18, district officials confirmed that Old Post Elementary School, 100 Old Post Road in Oswego, will be in remote learning Nov. 19-23.

OSD 308 has been offering voluntary COVID-19 testing, as well as optional SHIELD saliva-based testing for students and staff at the school, according to the letter.

“In our first three days of testing at school, five additional cases were identified. Since Nov. 1 there have been 26 total cases of COVID-19 reported in both students and staff at our school,” the letter states.

The 26 cases of COVID-19 represent approximately 4.5% of the school’s population, according to the letter.

As a result, Old Post will conduct classes remotely for three school days, beginning tomorrow, Nov. 19, and including Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23.

“The remote learning will bring us to the Thanksgiving break, meaning students will not be in person at school for a total of 10 days, which is the same as a full exclusion period for a positive case of COVID-19. It is our hope that this time away from school will allow any additional unidentified cases to move past the point where they could infect others,” the letter states.

Students were sent home with remote learning devices Nov. 18 to continue learning online with their class and teachers. Teachers will post information for students regarding their schedule and assignments in Google Classroom for the next three school days.

“If your family does not have internet access, please contact the school office so we can assist you in getting access,” the letter continued. “All devices will need to be returned to the school when in-person learning resumes on Monday, Nov. 29.”

Kid’s Connection will be closed Friday, Monday and Tuesday, as the school will be closed to all students. The main office will remain open for questions and concerns. Voluntary drive-up COVID-19 testing will be offered to all Old Post students and staff from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Nov. 19 and Nov. 22. at the school. SHIELD saliva-based testing will be open to all district staff and students from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., Nov. 19 and 22, at East View Academy.

“This was not an easy decision, but we feel this is in the best interest of our students and staff, to keep everyone safe and healthy,” the letter states.

Those with questions are asked to call the main office.