Covid-19 Numbers Spike At Sachem Elementary School

RONKONKOMA, NY — Thirty-one positive COVID-19 cases between students and staff have been reported at the Hiawatha Elementary School in Lake Ronkonkoma since Nov. 3, and two kindergarten classes have been on remote learning since Monday, Sachem School District officials said.

The school, which has 665 enrolled students, saw 34 combined cases over the 14-days between Oct. 28 and Nov. 10, according to the New York State Covid-19 Report Card. In the last seven days from Nov. 4 to Nov. 10, the school saw 26 combined cases. Overall the school has seen a total of 44 combined cases since Sept. 13.

There have been 313 cases district-wide since Sept. 13.

In a letter to parents, Sachem Schools Superintendent Christopher Pelletieri described the school as being in the midst of a "two-week stretch" where district officials have seen "many positive cases of COVID-19 for both students and staff" and he assured them that the Suffolk County Department of Health had been consulted.

Two kindergarten sections were placed on remote learning due to positive cases last week, and there "continues to be an increase in cases at Hiawatha," and after officials consulted with the health department, they decided to move to in-person learning for the rest of the school on Wednesday, Pelletieri wrote.

The daily deep cleaning and repeated disinfection of high-touch areas will continue "and staff will be working with students on supervised mask breaks and creating a heightened sense of awareness around social distancing and hygiene, including washing hands multiple times throughout the day," he continued.

Building visitors will be limited, virtual parent-student conferences will be offered, and an Arts in Ed program will be rescheduled also.

Pelletieri offered for parents to reach out to his office if they had any questions

"Our children are our most precious commodity, and their health along with the health of our staff is our utmost priority," he said, adding, "Please be well."