ILION – The Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Pathways Academy will be switching to virtual learning starting Wednesday, Oct. 14, through Monday, Oct. 19, in response to a confirmed positive case of COVID-19.
The expectation is that Pathways Academy students will return to in-person learning on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Herkimer BOCES and the Herkimer County Department of Public Health made this decision together in the late afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 13, due to the number of Pathways Academy students and staff who will have to quarantine in response to a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 for a Pathways Academy instructional staff member.
The confirmed positive case of COVID-19 was received on Monday, Oct. 12. Herkimer BOCES and the Herkimer County Department of Public Health responded and closed Pathways Academy for the day of Tuesday, Oct. 13. It was initially hoped that students could return to in-person learning on Wednesday, Oct. 14, but contact tracing revealed that an extended closure and temporary shift to virtual learning would be the proper response to assure the safety of students and staff.
“These are unfortunate circumstances, and we hope that no additional illness occurs,” Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent Sandra Sherwood said. “The shift to virtual instruction in a case such as this was laid out in our reopening plan, so students will be able to effectively continue their learning. We look forward to resuming in-person instruction on Tuesday, Oct. 20.”
All other Herkimer BOCES programs should follow regular schedules because their programs and locations are not impacted. The Herkimer BOCES Pathways Academy is located in the Remington Educational Complex in Ilion.
Pathways students will follow their regular schedule – just in a virtual format instead. Students should receive digital invitations or other communications from their teachers. Pathways administrators will be reaching out to families to arrange for loaning devices as needed.
Further information and announcements will be provided as updates are available. For any further questions/concerns, call the Herkimer BOCES district office at 315-867-2023.