Onondaga Nation School- Digital Instruction Will Continue for the Remainder of the School Year

January 14, 2021

 

Dear LaFayette Central School District Community:

 

District representatives recently corresponded with the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs, Clanmothers, and Faithkeepers. The Council has decided that the Onondaga Nation School will continue to remain closed for in person instruction and that all students and staff will participate in digital instruction for the duration of the school year.

 

The Onondaga Nation School calendar will also be adjusted so that Monday January 18th will be a day off from school to observe the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. The Nation School will also have a February break and school will not be in session February 15-19. Council has also shared that ceremonial days will not be held during days when LaFayette CSD schools are in session this school year. 

 

The Onondaga Nation Council is very concerned about the impact COVID-19 is having on the Onondaga Nation community. The LaFayette Central School District will respect the wishes of the governing body for the Onondaga Nation and the Onondaga Nation School will remain closed for in person instruction for the duration of the school year. 

 

Staff members at ONS will continue to work from home, follow their school schedule and be prepared to provide live instruction during school hours. If staff members need to work in their classrooms to gather materials or prepare for digital instruction, staff members must gain permission from the principal in advance of coming into the building.

 

As a reminder, school meals are available this year, at no charge to students. To make arrangements for meal delivery, please contact Mr. Rob Kennedy at 315-956-0371 or rkennedy@lafayetteschools.org 

 

Students from the Onondaga Nation who attend Grimshaw Elementary and LaFayette Big Picture School will continue to have the option of attending school either digitally or in person. The LaFayette Jr/Sr High School will switch to remote learning effective Thursday January 14, 2021 through Friday January 22, 2021 due to a recent COVID exposure resulting in a number of staff members and students being placed into quarantine. At this point, the LaFayette Jr/Sr High will resume in person instruction on Monday January 25, 2021.

 

Throughout this pandemic, I have been continually impressed with how our school community has adjusted to ever changing conditions. Thank you in advance for your understanding, support, and cooperation with this change.

 

Thank you to the Onondaga Nation Council and the LaFayette Board of Education for their continued support of our students and school community. 

 

Sincerely,

Jeremy Belfield

Superintendent of Schools

LaFayette Central School District

315-529-9550 (cell)

jbelfield@lafayetteschools.org