Schools in northern suburbs offer meals during COVID-19 closure

By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

As schools, restaurants and other institutions throughout New York state close in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Onondaga County confirmed its first two positive cases of COVID-19 on Monday, March 16.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta said the first patient — a woman in her 70s — has a history of medical issues and went to an emergency room to be tested. Gupta said this is a case of community transmission as the woman had not traveled to any of the countries affected by COVID-19.

A second case was confirmed later the same day. County officials said the second person affected is the husband of the first patient.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon issued an executive order for all schools in the county to close through Monday, April 13. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut, ordered all restaurants, bars and movie theaters to close Monday evening.

Additional resources

Seniors who need meal delivery (Onondaga County): 315-218-1987

Upstate COVID-19 triage for medical questions: 315-464-3979

Onondaga County Childcare Solutions: 315-446-1220

Community Resource line: Dial 211

Onondaga County Health Department: 315-435-3252

McMahon announced Monday that the county will announce sites to distribute meals to children and seniors in need.

The Baldwinsville Central School District has arranged meal pickup sites for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Families may pick up two days’ worth of meals — including breakfast and lunch — between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at either Ray Middle School (7650 Van Buren Road) or Baker High School (29 E. Oneida St.). D

“Delivery of meals will be handled on an as-needed basis. For delivery information, call 315-638-6097,” read a post on the BCSD’s Facebook page.

The Liverpool Central School District put out a survey to gauge the need for meal distribution sites.

“Once we determine the extent of students’ nutritional needs, the LCSD Food Service Department will select a number of drop off and pick up sites for these meals. There are no plans to deliver food door to door,” a release on the LCSD website read.

Through April 3, the LCSD Food Service Department will provide nutritional assistance to LCSD students due to the extended school closure.

LCSD Food Service workers will provide meals (both breakfast and lunch) Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at four LCSD school buildings:

Chestnut Hill Middle, 204 Saslon Park Drive
Long Branch Elementary, 4035 Long Branch Road
Liverpool Elementary, 910 Second Street
Nate Perry Elementary, 7053 Buckley Road

LCSD school buses also will drop off meals (both breakfast and lunch) to students Monday through Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 12 locations throughout the district:

Lakeview Townhomes
Brentwood Apartments
Hampton Estates
ABC Apartments
Norstar Apartments
Sunflower at the community park
Grenadier Village
Candlelight Lane at the clubhouse
Eagles Pointe Townhomes
Heritage Apartments
Madison Village
Burningtree Road at Shallowcreek Road

All meals are take-home meals. Meals cannot be consumed on site.

For more information, please contact Food Service Director Annette Marchbanks at 315-622-7172.

Liverpool schools is also offering resources on how to talk to children about COVID-19 and links for at-home learning activities. Visit liverpool.k12.ny.us for more information.

As for the North Syracuse Central School District, the KWS Bear Road Elementary School’s kindergarten registration events scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, were postponed and the April 4 ACT Exam at Cicero-North Syracuse High School is canceled. The NSCSD has dedicated a section of its website to COVID-19 news: nscsd.org/updates.

The NSCSD announced that free breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup at most schools in the district Monday through Friday while schools are closed. Meals are being prepared at Roxboro Road Middle School and KWS Bear Road Elementary School and distributed to all buildings except for the North Syracuse Early Education Program. In addition, meals will be available at the Bridgeport Diner. Food service staff will be distributing the meals either in the school’s lobby area or from school buses in building parking lots each day from 7 to 10 a.m. Families can take up to two meals at a time per student.

School building addresses are provided below: