In the hours following Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon’s order for all public schools to close at 4 p.m. Monday, Marcellus Central School District officials accelerated their plans, already underway, to prepare students and staff for an extended period of learning from home.
The district began Monday on a one-hour delay for students, to facilitate an early morning staff meeting. But when Superintendent Michelle Brantner learned at 9:05 a.m. that the first positive case of COVID-19 had been reported in Onondaga County and that schools would be ordered closed, she directed the two school buses transporting K-6 students at that time to turn around and take the children home. Students in grades 7-12 were already in class and were dismissed at the end of the regular school day.
Remote instruction
The older students were sent home Monday afternoon with their district-issued Chromebooks, which will be used for remote instruction during the mandatory school closure. In coming days, school officials will announce times when parents of younger children can pick up their devices. During these pick-ups, parents also will be able retrieve any medications they need from the school nurse’s office and any other additional materials prepared for them by teachers.
Free and reduced-price lunch
The school district plans to operate a backpack-style food program during the closure – providing weekly provisions to any students who need them. The meals will be available for pick-up once a week. For those without transportation, delivery will be provided.
Technical support
The instructional technology team is creating an online form that parents or students will be able to use to submit technical questions about the devices or software being used at home.
Board meetings
At this time, the Marcellus Board of Education meeting schedule will not change. However, the general public will only be able to tune in via livestream.
Continued communications
In this rapidly developing situation, the district will continue to update the community via the district website with any new information.
Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s School Messenger notification system. If you do not have a current phone number or email address on file with the district, please fill out this Parent Contact Survey as soon as possible.
