Posted November 02, 2020

Positive COVID Cases at NSHS

Dear North Shore Faculty and Staff,
Today, the District was notified that three students at North Shore High School have tested positive for COVID-19. Due to privacy laws, information regarding the identity of these students cannot be released.

Following guidance issued by the New York State Education Department and the Nassau County Department of Health, as well as the District’s COVID-response protocol, North Shore High School will be thoroughly disinfected and ventilated this evening. We have been in contact with the Nassau County Department of Health and will follow all necessary protocols to mitigate any exposure to other students, faculty, or staff and assist with their contact tracing investigation. As always, the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our foremost priority. We expect that the Nassau County Department of Health will conduct their investigation over the ensuing days and Mr. Contreras met with the High School faculty and staff today.

Since schools are closed tomorrow for professional development for our faculty and staff, the building as well as those instructional spaces where siblings attend, can be disinfected. Our planned Superintendent’s Conference Day will go forward, but due to the extensive nature of the potential contacts and siblings, ALL North Shore District faculty and staff will be able to participate virtually from home. This will also enable us to fully collaborate with the Department of Health’s contact tracing efforts as well as to disinfect the building.

Specific instructions regarding mandatory quarantine is provided by the Department of Health. Mr. Contreras, Principal of North Shore High School, and the nursing staff, are in the process of identifying those families and staff who may be considered direct contacts. We respectfully ask that you do not call the school or email us for additional details at this time as you will be contacted directly if you or your child is considered a direct contact.
As mentioned, the health and safety of our students and staff is our primary concern and these confirmed cases provides an opportunity to reinforce the work that the District is doing to keep all staff and students healthy.

As mentioned, the health and safety of our students and staff is our primary concern and these confirmed cases provides an opportunity to reinforce the work that the District is doing to keep all staff and students healthy.

We are reasonably certain that these positive cases are likely the result of parties and get-togethers outside of school from over the weekend and the impact is potentially profound across the community due to the nature of the contacts and siblings. Once again, the actions of a few impact the many, so please do your part. It seems that much of this was avoidable.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to remain vigilant now more than ever and commit to one another as a community that we will do all that we can to remain socially distant, practice healthy hand hygiene, and wear face coverings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Refrain from attending and/or hosting social gatherings and be certain to wear a mask and maintain social distance, most especially indoors.

Please note that a decision regarding school opening beyond tomorrow will be forthcoming once we have more information.

Please remember that we are in this together, that we are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we learn more.

Dr. Peter Giarrizzo
Superintendent of Schools