Quarantine For Students, Staff, Visitors To 3 East Ramapo Schools

RAMAPO, NY — Three East Ramapo schools were closed until March 21 after three students tested positive for new coronavirus. And anyone who spent time in the three schools — Hempstead Elementary School, Pomona Middle School and Ramapo High School — on or after Friday, March 6, must self-quarantine at the recommendation of the Commissioner of Health.

Schools Superintendent Deborah L. Wortham posted a message to the community on the district website Monday night explaining the dei

It came after a sequence of events that started Friday. School officials found out then that the five students were in voluntary quarantine for exposure to the coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Staff worked through the weekend to sanitize the five schools where the students are enrolled and to coordinate further steps with local and state health officials.

The final step they decided on was "an extra precaution, being done out of an abundance of caution," district officials said in a notice to parents. Over the weekend, all buildings were closed and all activities were canceled. Moreover, the district closed school for Monday and Tuesday to clean buildings.

However, on Monday afternoon, district officials learned that a student at Pomona Middle School had tested positive.

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Then Monday night they were told that two more children had tested positive. One was a student at Hempstead Elementary and the other at Ramapo High School.

The Rockland County Commissioner of Health and the New York State Education Department recommend that all three schools be closed out of an abundance of caution, Wortham said.

"Therefore, we will close Hempstead Elementary School, Pomona Middle School and Ramapo High School effective immediately, through 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020 for continued cleaning, progress monitoring and social-distancing," she said.

She said the affected students were not exhibiting symptoms as of Monday evening.

"The District's response is designed to demonstrate vigilance and recognition of individuals who may be immunocompromised," she wrote. "We recognize that this may be an inconvenience to our families, but our primary concern is the health and wellness of all students and staff."

According to the Rockland County Department of Health, a self-quarantine includes the following:

• You have to stay away from other people for the entire quarantine period. You cannot go to work, school, religious services or any other public place.
• If you live with other people, you have to stay in a room by yourself.
• If you have to share a bathroom, you must clean the bathroom after you use it every time.
• People should leave food and other items that you need outside your door.
• If you feel sick, call your private physician for further guidance.

Wortham said the East Ramapo Central School District will continue to work with all its partners to take any additional steps needed and keep the community informed through the district website.

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