As students in about 60 Long Island school districts return to class for either in-person, online, or a mix of both this week, positive cases of coronavirus are prompting two districts to push back their start dates.
Students in the Carle Place School District were supposed to start the new year on Wednesday, but now all will be participating in distance learning for the foreseeable future.
The change in learning plans comes after the superintendent wrote in a letter to families Monday that new positive coronavirus cases appear to be related to end of the summer parties. Multiple parents told News 12 Long Island that some high schoolers gathered for a party and now dozens are testing positive and quarantining.
Parents say they are frustrated because it seems some high schoolers spoiled back-to-school for the entire district. They add that they are now scrambling with less than 24 hours to go to find child care for their children.
There's no date to return yet as school officials will work with the Department of Health to determine that.
One student News 12 Long Island spoke to says he's glad he opted for remote learning from the start.
"It makes me feel safer that I'm like alone in my little space that no one else can really invade everything," says 11th grader Jared Alequin.
The Southold School District is also pushing the start date of in-person learning until Sept. 18 after two employees tested positive for COVID-19. A majority of employees are now required to quarantine for 14 days because of possible exposure at meetings last week. In the meantime, virtual learning for the district will start on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Riverhead School District reported that two sibling students also tested positive. All students and teachers that were in contact with them are quarantining, but the district says this case is not affecting learning plans for other students and staff in the district. Officials say those who will be under quarantine will participate in distance learning.