Reopen ICSD

January 12
Confirmed COVID-19 Case at Caroline, In-Person Learning to Continue

The Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) has confirmed that the individual who tested positive through antigen testing yesterday is indeed positive through COVID-19 PCR testing. All affected individuals are in their respective homes, engaged in distance teaching and learning, and will continue to do so through their quarantine and isolation periods. The remainder of the school can continue in-person instruction. More>>

January 10
ICSD Developing Plan for COVID-19 Vaccination of Personnel

On January 8, Governor Cuomo announced the expansion of COVID-19 vaccination eligibility in New York State to Phase 1B, which includes education workers. In light of this announcement, the Ithaca City School District is working to formulate a plan for the vaccination of district personnel in close collaboration with the Tompkins County Health Department, Cayuga Health System and district unions. Read the press full release>>

January 9
DeWitt Transitioning to Full Distance Learning through January 15

We have been informed that a DeWitt Middle School student has tested positive for COVID-19. We are collaborating with the TCHD to aid them in contact tracing efforts. At this time, due to the number of students and staff who will be subject to quarantine, DeWitt must transition to full distance learning through Friday, January 15. More>>

January 9
Positive COVID-19 Case at IHS, In-Person Learning to Continue

The ICSD was notified today that an in-person Ithaca High School student has tested positive for COVID-19. We are collaborating with the TCHD to aid them in contact tracing efforts. All staff and students who will be subject to quarantine will be contacted by the TCHD and/or ICSD staff. Due to redeployment of staff throughout the school district, the remainder of the school can continue in-person and distance learning. More>>

January 9
ICSD Completes First Week of Voluntary COVID-19 Testing

On Monday, January 4, 2021, the Ithaca City School District began testing in-person students and staff for COVID-19 using Abbott BinaxNOW antigen tests provided by the New York State Department of Health. Throughout the first week of testing, nurses and trained observers ultimately tested 12% of in-person students and staff across our 12 schools. There were no positive cases identified in the process. Read the full press release>>

January 8
Positive COVID-19 Case at Northeast, In-Person Learning to Continue

The ICSD was notified today that an in-person Northeast student has tested positive for COVID-19. All students and staff who were in close contact with the positive individual are already home and will continue distance learning and teaching through their quarantine period. Due to excellent cohorting practices at Northeast, the remainder of the school can continue in-person instruction. More>>

January 8

Boynton to Continue Full Distance Learning through January 15

The ICSD was informed this morning that a Boynton student has tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the number of students and staff that have been placed in mandatory quarantine, the school must continue full distance learning through Friday, January 15. More>>

December 20
ICSD to Begin COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Program

On January 4, the Ithaca City School District will begin a voluntary COVID-19 surveillance testing program for students and staff, using a non-invasive form of antigen testing. Although our district has not been identified as a Yellow Zone per the New York State Cluster Action Initiative, we will follow those guidelines and test 20% of in-person students and staff at each school over two-week periods. The testing is not mandatory, and staff/caregiver consent is required. View our testing program overview and FAQs for more information.

December 15
Snow Day Policy Reminder

The ICSD will continue to follow our typical approach to snow days this school year. In the event of inclement weather, the district will close and all instructional programming - both in-person and virtual - will be canceled. The ICSD will not be able to provide school meals for remote learners on snow days.

To ensure you receive communications regarding school closings, please verify that your contact information in SchoolTool is correct and that you are set up to receive mail. For more information on school closings, visit ithacacityschools.org/closings.

December 11

NYSPHSAA Cancels Winter State Championships, Postpones High-Risk Sports

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced the cancellation of all 2021 Winter State Championships (bowling, basketball, boys swimming and diving, competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, indoor track and field, ice hockey, skiing, and wrestling). 

Additionally, the Association has postponed all high-risk sports until authorization is granted by state officials. Sports determined to be high-risk include basketball, boys lacrosse, competitive cheerleading, football, ice hockey, volleyball, and wrestling.

Low- and moderate-risk regular season sports continue to be permitted, and the 2021 Spring State Championships remain scheduled at this time.

December 3

COVID-19 School Report Card Dashboard and Protocol Reminder

Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in our community and schools, as many predicted and expected. We believe strongly that we have a responsibility to both protect the confidentiality of individuals who test positive, and to inform our communities about cases that pose a direct risk to them. Please read our letter to the community regarding our protocol for altering folks of positive cases in the district and the NYS COVID-19 School Report Card Dashboard.

December 1
Community Communication Regarding Increase in COVID-19 Cases

In light of the rise of cases of COVID-19 throughout our country and county, the Ithaca City School District continues to diligently adhere to health and safety protocols for students and staff. As a reminder, we all share in the responsibility to wear face coverings, maintain 6 feet of distance, fill out the daily screener, stay home when sick, quarantine following travel beyond states bordering New York, wash our hands frequently, practice good respiratory hygiene, and avoid touching our eyes and face. More>>

November 17
Meal Deliveries for Remote Learners

As of December 2, the ICSD is offering weekly (every Wednesday) home deliveries of school meals for students learning remotely. Meals are still also available for pickup Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Boynton, Fall Creek, and LACS. Families can place their orders for pickup or delivery using either of the online forms, which can be found on our school meals information page.

November 5
January Regents Canceled

The New York State Education Department is canceling the January 2021 administration of the NYS High School Regents Examination Program in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID–19 pandemic. More>>