The situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly. The Fayetteville-Manlius School District continues to monitor all guidance from local, state and federal agencies. At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the school district.

Below are the district’s most recent communications regarding COVID-19, and to the right are helpful links.

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Some construction projects continue during school closure

April 3
While schools are closed statewide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fayetteville-Manlius School District is taking advantage of its buildings being unoccupied to continue and, in some cases, move up scheduled “essential” construction projects.

Electrical work at Fayetteville Elementary School will continue over the district’s previously planned spring break (April 6-10). In preparation for upcoming construction at Wellwood Middle School that is part of the 2017 voter-approved capital project, the district is separating the electrical service that is shared by Fayetteville Elementary and Wellwood Middle schools into two distinct systems.

With separate main power lines installed to both buildings, power outages at one building will no longer impact the other, as is currently the case.

Other work at Wellwood is on hold due to a delay in the delivery of the modular classroom suite that will be used for temporary classroom space during construction. The district had planned for a June delivery; however, the company constructing the suite is currently shut down due to the pandemic. Once the company resumes construction, the district will adjust its project timeline and notify parents and staff.

In addition to the electrical work at Fayetteville Elementary during the week of April 6-10, asbestos abatement is also planned for that time at Eagle Hill Middle School. The abatement project is part of the Energy Performance Contract (EPC) that is included in the 2017 capital project. Air monitoring is required before, during and after all asbestos abatement projects.

If the governor extends beyond April 15 the school closure period, asbestos abatement at F-M High School, which is also part of the EPC, will take place immediately following the Eagle Hill work, rather than at the end of June as originally scheduled.  

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EH sends messages of appreciation to essential workers

April 2

As schools across New York state continue to be closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, it’s important that members of the Fayetteville-Manlius School District feel connected to each other and the greater community.

At Eagle Hill Middle School, students and staff recently created positive messages that were shared electronically with local emergency responders, grocery store workers and medical providers. As COVID-19 afflicts more people in our community, the students and staff wanted these essential workers to know that the work they are doing is appreciated.

Here are some of their messages that were sent to local hospitals:

• Thanks for being a LIGHT in these uncertain times! Your hard work is appreciated more than you know!
• I value and appreciate your time, energy and dedication. Thank you for everything you do!!
• Thank you for all that you do. I am glad that you have the courage to work because everyone needs you. You do a dangerous job but you aren’t scared to help our community.
• Thank you for your service by helping us get better when we get sick. You make a big difference in the world.

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Mental health resources available

April 1, 2020

“Students are experiencing many life changes at once due to the pandemic,” F-M Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “We recognize that current news headlines, social distancing measures and a lack of routine can trigger different emotions. We are here to help students cope with these changes.”

F-M school counselors, social workers, psychologists and home-school liaisons are available to speak personally with students, parents and guardians by phone, email and video chat. To set up an individual appointment with a school mental health professional at any of the district’s six school buildings, please email F-M Director of Counseling Services Heidi Green at hgreen@fmschools.org. 

Community resources available for families

In addition to school mental health personnel, there are several community resources available to help families through this period of uncertainty. 

Individuals who are experiencing increasing stress and anxiety can contact New York State Office of Mental Health’s free Emotional Support Line at 1-844-863-9314. The confidential support line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling.

For help locating basic resources, such as food, shelter and healthcare, Central New York residents can dial 211 from a cell phone or landline. This free-to-call, three-digit telephone number connects callers to a variety of services within the community.

Centers for Disease Control provides news, information and resources related to the global pandemic on its website. The CDC offers the following tips for parents and guardians who are helping children navigate through these unsettling times: 

• Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
• Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
• Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
• Try to keep up with regular routines. Create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
• Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.
  

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Remote learning, food distribution continues next week

March 31

Today’s update is a letter to F-M families from Superintendent Craig Tice regarding the governor’s executive orders issued to extend the school closure period until April 15, 2020. 

Dear F-M parents and guardians,

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, Fayetteville-Manlius School District remains committed to providing students with equitable learning opportunities and access to healthy meals while school is closed.

As you are aware, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently extended the New York on PAUSE plan and directed schools to remain closed until at least April 15. During this extension, districts are expected to provide continuity of learning and food service to students and child care for its essential workers.

Because the extended executive order encompasses the district’s upcoming Spring Recess, which was previously scheduled for April 6-10, F-M’s academic calendar has been amended by executive order so that staff members can continue to support students with remote learning opportunities and food distribution during this timeframe. 

Therefore, students should continue their remote educational activities and routines next week, and those enrolled in F-M Food Service Department’s healthy meals program will continue to receive breakfast and lunch each day.

While the loss of planned vacation time would not be welcome news during a typical school year, we recognize that this is anything but a typical school year. Since the health, safety and education of students remain the district’s top priorities, the governor’s commitment to maintaining the “continuity” of learning, food service and child care is understandable.  

To enroll your child in F-M’s healthy meal program, which offers grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals for all students on each weekday school is closed, please contact F-M’s Food Service Department at 315-692-1809 or catering@fmschools.org. Please indicate which school is most convenient for meal pick-up.

We recognize that this is a stressful and challenging situation. We’re here to support you through it, and know that you are managing many personal and professional responsibilities. We would like to remind you of something that we often tell our students: All we can do is our best. We’ll get through this together.

Thank you all for your continued patience, understanding and support.

Sincerely,

Craig J. Tice, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

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Budget vote postponed until at least June 1; recreational spaces remain closed

March 30, 2020

Under an executive order from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, all New York state school budget votes originally scheduled for May 19 have been postponed until at least June 1.

The directive, which aims to limit the spread of COVID-19, also indefinitely postpones collection and filing of nominating petitions for school board elections and postpones library votes and municipal elections to at least June 1.

The district will provide more information about F-M’s annual school budget vote once it becomes available.

School playgrounds and fields remain closed

To comply with the Onondaga County Executive’s social distancing directives, F-M’s outdoor physical education spaces, recreational facilities and athletic fields remain closed until further notice.

This includes F-M school playgrounds, tennis courts and athletic fields. F-M High School’s athletic stadium, including its turf field and track are also closed.

In addition to the various deterrents used to secure or to limit access to these facilities, conspicuous signage has been posted authorizing law enforcement to intervene on behalf of the school district and to hold any trespassers accountable for their actions. 

The county order has been issued to help limit the spread of COVID-19. The district will notify community members once F-M’s facilities and fields reopen for public use.

State education department approves district’s emergency plans 

New York State Education Department recently approved the district’s plans for how it will provide learning opportunities, healthy meals and child care for its essential employees during the school closure.

The plans have been implemented districtwide and will remain in effect for the duration of the school closure.

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Schools closed until April 15; EH teachers help make face shields for healthcare workers

March 27

On March 27, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he is extending to April 15 his executive order to close schools to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Fayetteville-Manlius schools were already closed through April 13 due to an executive order from Onondaga County; however, schools will now reopen on April 15 due to the governor’s announcement. Cuomo said in two weeks he will re-evaluate his order to close schools and may extend the closure at that time, if necessary.

The district is closely monitoring federal, state and local guidance and is preparing to extend its existing contingency plans for instruction, student support services, childcare and the delivery of school meals in case the school closure is extended past April 14.  

Supporting the community through tech

Two Eagle Hill Middle School teachers are helping the community by 3D printing face shield parts to be donated to healthcare workers treating individuals infected with the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. 

After reading a syracuse.com article about a local company asking for volunteers to help 3D print and assemble face shields, Eagle Hill technology teachers Bob Levy and Matt Six saw a community need they could help meet with school technology currently not in use because of the emergency school closure. 

“The least we could do for our community is try and pitch in to help our healthcare workers that are on the front lines of this epidemic,” Six said. 

They reached out to Principal Maureen McCrystal to ask if they could each take one of the school’s 3D printers home, along with some filament, so they could support the group’s efforts.

After a check-in with district administration, it was determined that their efforts would fall within board policy on equipment use, and that the cost to produce the parts would be minimal and not adversely impact the school’s ability to replace the school’s supply of filament. 

Levy and Six are printing two parts for the face shields: the visor and clip. They began printing March 26 and delivered 6 visor parts that day and estimate they will be able to create and donate a total of at least 16 a day.

“After seeing news reports about front line doctors and nurses reusing personal protective equipment that is meant to be disposed of after each use, and the local effort to get more equipment distributed to local hospitals, I knew we could do our part to help out,” Levy said. “I thought, we have the equipment, materials and capability to help out on behalf of the F-M community, so let’s get printing.”

April Parent Council canceled

The April 1 Parent Council meeting is canceled due to the emergency school closure.

The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 1 in the F-M District Office large conference room. As of today, the district is scheduled to return to session on April 15. 

Parent Council is a forum for Fayetteville-Manlius School District parents to meet informally with the superintendent and other district staff to discuss topics relevant to its students. The sessions are informal and open, and parents are an integral part of discussions that occur.

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OCFS survey helps connect parents to childcare

March 26

While the Fayetteville-Manlius School District is partnering with the Hal Welsh East Area YMCA in Fayetteville to provide childcare for children of essential employees, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is also available to help those in need. 

The staff at OCFS are trying their best to support families in finding high-quality childcare. Parents or caregivers who need childcare are asked to complete an OCFS parent need for child care survey. The survey is currently in English, but it is currently being translated and translations will follow.

Based on the information you provide about your job, employer, number of children and financial need, OCFS may be able to help you find the childcare program you need.

Locally, Child Care Solutions of Central New York is available to assist families in finding childcare to meet their family’s needs. When there are limited openings available near the family’s home, Child Care Solutions can also refer them to childcare programs near their place of employment. 

There are about 1,200 childcare openings throughout Onondaga County. Residents, especially “essential” employees as defined by the state, should call the Parent Help team of Child Care Solutions at 315-446-1220, ext. 303, and they will do their best to assist them in finding child care.

More childcare resources

• Office of Children and Family Services Child Care Services website 
• YMCA Emergency Childcare Resources 
• Child Care Solutions: 315-446-1220

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Food service expands program to include all F-M students

March 25

Ensuring that all students have access to healthy meals while school is closed remains a priority for the Fayetteville-Manlius School District.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic vulnerability some families may be experiencing, the district is expanding its grab-and-go meal program during the school closure to include all F-M students.

Effective March 26, all F-M students are eligible to receive breakfast and lunch meals each day school is closed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

“We understand some families are facing unprecedented financial hardship right now,” F-M Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “We want to make sure all of our students have access to healthy meals during these uncertain times.”  

Families who wish to sign up for F-M’s grab-and-go meal service should contact F-M’s Food Service Director at 315-692-1809 or catering@fmschools.org. Please indicate which school is most convenient for meal pickup and whether transportation is an issue.   

Childcare available for essential employees

Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District is partnering with YMCA of Central New York’s Hal Welsh East Area location in Fayetteville to provide childcare for children of essential employees. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and Child Care Solutions of CNY estimate that there are 12 openings in the pre-K program and about 119 openings for children from 5 to 13 years of age within the Fayetteville-Manlius community.

While the YMCA recreational facility remains closed to the public until further notice, the center’s child care program is available at no charge for employees of essential businesses, including food service and grocery store staff members, healthcare workers and first responders. 

If any essential worker needs care, they should call Child Care Solutions at 315-446-1220.

The Hal Welsh East Area YMCA location in Fayetteville is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For those who are not considered essential employees, the cost is $20 per day, and scholarships are available for those in need.  Contact the YMCA at 315-637-2025 extension 0, for more information.

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District emphasizes importance of social distancing

March 24

To help mitigate the impact of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, Fayetteville-Manlius School District officials are asking students to continue practicing social distancing. 

Following this past weekend, the district received multiple phone calls and messages from concerned community members who stated that children were seen gathering together in various neighborhoods.

“We understand that students miss interacting with their friends,” F-M Superintendent Craig Tice said. “Right now, maintaining physical distance from one another can help protect our most vulnerable community members.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social distancing is one potential mitigation strategy to reduce transmission of COVID-19, and includes avoiding large gatherings of people and maintaining a distance of six feet from others.  

Food Service continues meal program

F-M Food Service offers grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meals to students who participate in the free and reduced-price meal program.

Eligible families who have not already signed up for F-M’s grab-and-go meal service should contact F-M’s Food Service Director at 315-692-1809 or catering@fmschools.org. Please indicate which school is most convenient for meal pickup and whether transportation is an issue.   

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Advanced Placement exams will take place online

March 23

The College Board, which administers Advanced Placement (AP) exams nationwide, has announced that it will conduct online exams for the 2019-20 school year but only cover material taught through early March.

This will ensure that students currently enrolled in an AP course and who pass the course will still receive college credit.

The exams will be administered as 45-minute online free-response exams at home. Students will be able to take the streamlined exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone, according to The College Board. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.

Beginning Wednesday, March 25, students and teachers can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These mobile-friendly classes are:

• Designed to be used alongside work that may be given by schools.
• Will be recorded and available on-demand so teachers and students can access them any time.
• Will focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course. 

Students in need of mobile tools or connectivity, can contact The College Board.

Course specific exam information

Local public television helps out

As of Monday, March 23, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and New York’s nine public television stations are offering PBS educational programming on-air for students from prekindergarten through grade 12 every weekday.

In the Syracuse area, material can be viewed for free over-the-air with a television antenna or on cable from local Syracuse station, WCNY-TV 24. Parents and educators should check local listings for information about their public television stations’ schedules and channel lineup.

As this program continues, stations are planning to offer more specific educational information and resources developed in conjunction with local school districts, BOCES, parents and teachers.

New special collections of learning materials have also been created for parents at PBSLearningMedia.org.

For more information or to access the learning-at-home material, visit WCNY-TV 24 or http://www.wcny.org.

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Board of education meeting will be live-streamed; state assessments suspended 

March 20

Fayetteville-Manlius School District’s March 23 board of education meeting will be available for real-time viewing online.

Amid concerns of the COVID-19 public health crisis, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently issued an executive order exempting municipal and school boards from provisions of the state Open Meetings Law that require public access to locations where government meetings are conducted.

To comply with this order, the F-M Board of Education’s March 23 meeting will be available for public viewing and participation via YouTube Live only. The meeting will stream in real-time on F-M’s official YouTube channel beginning at 6 p.m. and will be archived on the channel for later viewing.

The meeting agenda is limited to items that require immediate attention. It will include time for public comment, which viewers can participate in through YouTube Live Chat. An interactive chat window will be accessible to online audience members during this portion of the meeting.

Board members and district leaders will be attending the meeting in-person and by telephone conferencing. Those in attendance will practice social distancing. 

State assessments suspended

The New York State Board of Regents and state Education Department announced Friday, March 20, that the 2020 elementary- and intermediate-level state assessments have been suspended for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

“It is most important that during the time of closure, schools are able to continue to focus their efforts toward local school and community needs, as they have been doing, and not be concerned about state assessments. NYSED has applied for federal waivers for testing, accountability and reporting requirements,” according to a statement from Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and Interim State Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe. 

This suspension applies to the following New York state testing programs:

• New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts Test;
• New York State Grades 3-8 Mathematics Test;
• New York State Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test;
• New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test;
• New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) in Grades K-12; and
• New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) for students with severe cognitive disabilities in Grades 3-8 and high school.

The state has yet to give guidance on the end-of-June Regents exams, and school officials are still awaiting news from The College Board regarding the Advanced Placement exams.

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Buildings closed; employees to work from home

March 19 

As of Friday, March 20, Fayetteville-Manlius school buildings and the district office will be closed and administrators and clerical staff will work from home during the school closure as the district works to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Administrators will continue to be available via email, and phone messages left with the schools’ main offices will be checked and answered on regular school days (Mondays through Fridays). 

• Enders Road Elementary School: 315-692-1500
• Fayetteville Elementary School: 315-692-1600
• Mott Road Elementary School: 315-692-1700
• Eagle Hill Middle School: 315-692-1400
• Wellwood Middle School: 315-692-1300
• F-M High School: 315-692-1900

In addition, the district’s Let’s Talk! platform is open for community members to submit questions, and the district will continue to update its online Frequently Asked Questions document. 

Throughout the closure, employees from the food service, maintenance and custodial, instructional technology and transportation departments will continue to report to work to maintain the state’s required food service, online learning and deep cleaning operations.

Check ‘junk mail’ folders

As families partner with their children’s teachers to continue instruction during the closure, parents and guardians are encouraged to check their email account’s “junk mail” folder. Some parents have reported their email providers have automatically diverted some emails from the district and staff to their junk mail folders. 

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Outdoor facilities closed; YMCA childcare available; registration paused and Chromebooks distributed 

March 18

In addition to all Fayetteville-Manlius schools being closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the district is also closing to the public all outdoor physical education, interscholastic athletics, and recreational facilities, including the district’s track, turf field, tennis courts, school playgrounds and athletic fields.

“We are asking our community to partner with us during this critical time,” said Scott Sugar, F-M’s Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “We know some community members have been continuing to use our facilities, such as the track and turf field, and we apologize for this inconvenience. As health officials have advised us to limit the number of people on our campuses, this is one more step we can take to protect the health of our community.”

All outdoor athletic facilities will be closed as of Wednesday, March 18, and will remain closed for the duration of the emergency school closure, which is expected to last at least until April 14. 

Childcare

As part of the district’s plan in responding to the emergency closure order from Onondaga County and New York state, the district is partnering with the Hal Welsh East Area YMCA in Fayetteville to offer childcare for those parents and guardians affected by the closures.

Healthcare workers and first responders will have priority placement for the slots, which will serve children ages 2.5 to 12 from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Care will cost $20 per day, and scholarships are available for those in need. 

Contact the YMCA at 315-637-2025, extension 0, for more information.  

Student registration

Due to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent executive order directing all New York state schools to close, the district is suspending registration through April 14. 

The district will also not be processing change of addresses during this time. For urgent matters, such as a new student enrolling for the current school year, families should contact Debbie McGann at dmcgann@fmschools.org.

Chromebook distribution

Chromebooks will be distributed to families in need who reserved them during two pick-up sessions on Thursday, March 19.

A drive-thru pick-up station will be set up at F-M High School’s in the House I front circle. All students, parents and guardians picking up Chromebooks should remain inside their vehicles at all times and wait for a staff member for assistance.

To borrow a Chromebook, students must complete the Technology Acceptable Use Policy. Forms will be available during the pick-up times, and the completed form must be given to a staff member. 

Chromebook pick-up times: 

• 9-11 a.m.: Families with the last name beginning A – K
• 4-6 p.m.: Families with the last name beginning L through Z 

Students should plan to arrive during their specified time slot; however, if a student has a conflict, it is permissible for students to attend the time that is most convenient.

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Frequently asked questions resource created

March 17
With all Fayetteville-Manlius School District schools closed until at least April 14, the district recognizes many parents, guardians and students have questions about how this extended closure will affect the school community.

The community is encouraged to use the district’s Let’s Talk! platform to submit questions and concerns to the district. Those questions that would be of interest to many in the school community will be included in a frequently asked questions document.

“State and local officials are issuing guidance for schools at a rapid-fire pace, and we are committed to keeping the community apprised on how that guidance affects our students, staff and school operations, programs and services,” Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “We will respond to questions as quickly as possible and ask for the community’s patience as we navigate these unchartered waters.”

As Let’s Talk! questions are submitted to the district, and local and state guidance is developed and updated, the district will add this information to the frequently asked questions document. Community members are encouraged to check the document to see if their questions have already been addressed.  

Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19

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Eligible students to receive meals as of Tuesday, march 17; instruction will begin by March 19

March 16

On March 16, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced that two county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and that all schools in the county are to close as of 4 p.m. March 16 through April 14. 

McMahon’s announcement moves up to Tuesday, March 17, Fayetteville-Manlius School District plans to begin serving eligible students breakfast and lunch through its free and reduced-price meals program. Teachers will be reaching out to their students’ families by March 19 to begin offering online instructional materials. 

Superintendent Craig J. Tice announced on March 14 that F-M classes and all extracurricular events and activities were canceled beginning March 16 through April 14 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Health officials are recommending that people avoid large group gatherings and practice social distancing of six feet. 

Let’s Talk: COVID-19

The district is aware that many in the community have questions or concerns related to the school closure. To address the community’s questions and concerns, the district is opening its Let’s Talk! platform, which is a web-based, two-way communications tool that allows anyone to share concerns or questions with district administrators at any time. 

The interactive software is designed to streamline conversations and is not intended to be used for communicating urgent messages. 

Let’s Talk!

Technology availability 

If you have not been contacted by the school district and are in need of technology, please call 315-692-1111 or email helpdesk@fmschools.org to request a district-owned Chromebook.

For those families who have already contacted the district, Chromebooks will be available for pickup at the F-M High School House 1 Foyer (the single-point of entry near the auditorium) 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, on a one-per-family in need basis (not a convenience). 

Parents and/or guardians will be required to show photo identification and sign an acceptable use agreement and liability/damage waiver when picking up a district-owned Chromebooks.

If you had not already contacted the school district, a Chromebook will not be reserved for you during the distribution period.

Schoology

Information is available for those families that need help accessing the district’s Schoology learning management system platform. 

Schoology information 

Free WiFi for students

Beginning March 16, Charter Communications will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps, according to Charter’s website.

Installation fees will be waived for new student households. To learn more and enroll, visit their website.

Personal belongings

For families who need to retrieve from their child’s school personal belongings, such as musical instruments, students will be able to pick up personal items from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 19.

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Instructional and food service contingency plans to be launched

March 15

During the county-wide emergency school closure instituted to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Fayetteville-Manlius School District is prepared to offer online student instruction and meals for its students enrolled in its free and reduced-price meals program. 

The district is complying with Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon’s March 14 order to close school buildings effective 4 p.m. March 20 through April 14. If there is a positive case of COVID-19 before March 20, McMahon said schools would close earlier, on March 18. 

Out of an abundance of caution, F-M announced shortly after the county’s mandate that it would close beginning Monday, March 16. 

The F-M Board of Education met March 15 and approved shifting the district’s planned May 19 staff development day to March 16, which will allow teachers time to prepare their online instructional activities. 

The district will then use two of its remaining four emergency school closure days to cancel school on March 17 and March 18. If the county does not close schools earlier than planned, the district will use its remaining two emergency closure days on March 19 and March 20. This would effectively cancel F-M’s classes a week earlier than the county mandated.

“There are no easy answers in this situation,” Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “Our actions are guided by what is best for our community. While there are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Onondaga County or our school district, we need to be proactive rather than reactive to this unprecedented situation that could have an impact on the health of the F-M community.” 

As per past practice, the district will not provide online instruction or food service operations during the staff development day or the emergency closure days. Online instruction and food service programs are planned to begin March 23.

However, if the county closes schools at the end of the day on March 18 due to a positive case of COVID-19 in the county, the district is prepared to begin those programs March 19. 

The district’s food service team will be providing breakfast and lunch for its students enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program. Those families will be contacted directly on how meals will be provided. 

Personal items and medications

Building principals will soon communicate with their respective families to make arrangements for those who need to pick up belongings, such as musical instruments, technology or clothing.

If families have medications at school they would like to retrieve, they should contact their school’s nurse’s office on Monday, March 16, to make arrangements for pick-up that day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. 

School activities and trips

The district has canceled all after-school and evening activities through April 14, when school is planned to resume. In addition, all overnight trips are canceled, including F-M High School’s music trip to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida, the crew team’s participation in the Annual Saratoga Invitational  in Saratoga Springs and the grade 8 trips to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Boston, Massachusetts.  

Building administrators are investigating whether refunds for deposits will be honored, and they will be in contact with families regarding the cancellation of these overnight trips.

All local area field trips may still be held at a future date, depending upon the circumstances.  

Athletics

The start of the spring athletic season will be delayed until at least April 14.

Continued communications

In this rapidly developing situation, the district will continue to update the community via the district website with any new information and frequently asked questions.  

Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s SchoolMessenger notification system, which sends email, text message and phone call notifications, depending upon how parents subscribed to the system.

Precautionary measures

There are a number of steps that community members can take to minimize the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, according to the New York State Department of Health:  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Heavily soiled hands should be washed.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you or a family member begin showing symptoms of a respiratory disease and suspect it may be COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider. Before going to your healthcare provider’s office, inform them that a case of COVID-19 is suspected, and follow their advice.

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All F-M schools closed effective Monday, March 16

March 14

Out of an abundance of caution and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the Fayetteville-Manlius School District community, all F-M schools will be closed and all extracurricular activities and events canceled beginning Monday, March 16, through at least April 14. 

“This is not a decision taken lightly, as we recognize this action will impact many families’ regular routines, including child care and parents’ and guardians’ work schedules,” Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “We appreciate your patience and flexibility during this unprecedented time. Our priority is the health and safety of our students, staff and community.” 

On March 14, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon declared a state of emergency for the county. At that time, McMahon announced that all Onondaga County schools will be closed effective March 23. In the interest of students’ health and safety, Tice and the F-M Board of Education are closing all F-M schools earlier than the county’s suggested timeframe.

“There are no easy answers in this situation,” Tice said. “Our actions are guided by what is best for our community. While there are currently no cases of COVID-19 in Onondaga County or our school district, we need to be proactive rather than reactive to this unprecedented situation that could have an impact on the health of the F-M community.”

Because there are practical limits to trying to continue the district’s recognized instructional program in an online format, that is not the district’s goal. Instead, the district’s focus will be to ensure the “continuity of instruction” for parent-guided and self-guided learning for students or they may leverage the district’s online learning management tool, Schoology, for more frequent “office hours” interactions and constructive feedback.

Those families whose children receive school meals through the free and reduced-price meals program will be contacted directly regarding the continuity of that program. 

The New York State Education Department continues to work with the governor’s office, the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Education to provide guidance to schools and district officials. 

In this rapidly developing situation, the district will continue to update the community via the district website with any new information and frequently asked questions.  

Any time-sensitive, critical information will be shared via the district’s SchoolMessenger notification system, which sends email, text message and phone call notifications, depending upon how parents subscribed to the system.

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Schools cancel some events and activities; contingency planning continues

3:50 p.m. March 13

With Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s March 12 announcement that New York state is banning all gatherings of more than 500 people, Fayetteville-Manlius officials have been reviewing the district’s upcoming schedule of events and developing contingency plans in the event that the district is forced to close a school. 
Although there are no confirmed cases of the COVID-19 at F-M, district officials felt it is imperative to follow the state’s lead in canceling events that would involve a great number of people in close proximity with the goal of reducing the number of people on school campuses and in district buildings. 

Regular school instruction is still taking place, and social distancing practices are being emphasized and encouraged. 

District administrators are continuing to monitor all guidance from local, state and federal agencies regarding the respiratory illness caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus, COVID-19. As the situation evolves, local, state and federal officials continue to update their guidance for school districts. 

On March 9, the New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Education released guidance that states if a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, the state Department of Health requires an initial 24-hour closure of the school to assess the situation and develop a plan to as to any further required closure or other necessary precautions. 

The district’s administrative team is developing response plans to continue instruction and other critical administrative and student services.

The district will continue cleaning and disinfecting its schools to minimize the spread of viruses and a variety of other illnesses. Custodial staff are sanitizing building spaces using an electrostatic sprayer, which applies a coating of disinfectant on surfaces. In addition, school buses are being sanitized on a daily basis using an electrostatic sprayer.   

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District developing contingency plans

7:30 p.m. March 12

Fayetteville-Manlius School District officials are continuing to closely monitor guidance from local, state and federal officials on school district operations as it relates to COVID-19.

With Governor Andrew Cuomo’s March 12 announcement that New York state is banning all gatherings of more than 500 people, not including regular school instruction, district officials are meeting to review upcoming events and to develop contingency plans in the event that the district is forced to cancel more events or activities or close a school. 

“This is a highly fluid situation, with guidance and recommendations forthcoming on a daily basis,” Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “We appreciate the flexibility and adaptability of our staff, as well as our students and their families, and want to thank them for their patience and understanding. This is a situation that will warrant quick decisions, and we will give our community as much notice as possible if we need to make cancellations.”

At this time, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the school district or Onondaga County. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the district, all members of the school community will be notified.

On March 9, the New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Education released guidance that states if a student or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19, the state Department of Health requires an initial 24-hour closure of the school to assess the situation and develop a plan to as to any further required closure or other necessary precautions. 

In the event that health officials direct the district to close, administrators are developing plans to continue instruction and other critical administrative and student services. 

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 SchoolMessenger notification system, which sends email, text message and phone call notifications, depending upon how parents subscribed to the system.

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District canceling large gatherings per state guidance; high school musical and FE open house canceled

3:25 p.m. March 12

In light of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that New York state is banning all gatherings of more than 500 people, the Fayetteville-Manlius School District is canceling two events planned for this evening, Thursday, March 12.