In a letter to families sent out on Thursday, Long Beach Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Gallagher announced that the district would cancel all field trips and competitions until the end of spring break, April 20, because of the Coronavirus outbreak, which has affected Nassau County. The cancellations will take effect on Friday, March 13.
The action was taken to protect students and staff from the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus, which as of Thursday in Nassau County, the number of confirmed cases has risen 40, according to county officials. Gallagher said that there may be some exceptions to athletic events at the Middle and High Schools that are held outdoors. However, outside groups will not be permitted to use the facilities in the evenings.
The district will also close its buildings at 6:30 p.m., for extensive cleaning. Additionally, all large group gatherings will be canceled and parent-teacher conferences, which were scheduled for the next few weeks, will be conducted through phone calls.
In the letter, Gallagher addressed the possibility of having to close schools.
“If we have to make a decision to close at some point, that decision must be made under the direction of the County Department of Health (DOH), who will notify me if a staff member or student tests positive for the virus,” Gallagher wrote.
Gallagher added that the district is making preparations if schools have to be closed and online courses would be made available, should the State allow that course of action. She asked that if any families do not have access to Wi-Fi at home or do not have access to a computer device, to notify their child’s principal immediately.
As of Thursday, the district had not reported any confirmed cases of the Coronavirus.
