First month of in-person classes now in the books
Only four individuals across three schools have received positive COVID-19 tests, Tracy-MacAulay said, and within hours students and staff who had been in close contact with the individuals who tested positive were asked to quarantine.
“Our largest school, with more than 800 students, has had no positive cases,” Tracy-MacAulay said. “We have had zero widespread transmission and no serious illnesses. I credit this affirmative performance to the constant and consistent efforts of our students, staff and families.”
Other schools, too, have reported a low number of cases throughout the district. At MSD of Boone Township, three positive cases were reported at Hebron High School, while one positive case was reported at Hebron Middle School, according to superintendent Jeff Brooks.
Brooks said during the second week of school, the district saw the percentage of students opting for virtual learning increase from 14% to 20% due to positive COVID-19 cases in the district. The percentage has since stabilized, he said.
“Students and staff have been adhering to the guidelines of social distancing, mask wearing and other safety precautions,” he said. “Students that I have talked with are happy to be back in school, even with new protocols.”
Lake Central School Corp. has also had four cases within the district, and Tri-Creek School Corp. has had six cases throughout the district — one being a staff member — according to their Facebook page. In letters sent to Tri-Creek families, the district has alerted parents of cases at Lowell High School, Lake Prairie Elementary School and Three Creeks Elementary School.
The most recent letter, sent Sept. 9, alerted families of a case at Lowell High School, stating six students were close contacts to the individual who tested positive. In a letter sent Sept. 4, two siblings at Lowell High School received positive COVID-19 results, and no students or staff were deemed close contacts.
All messages sent by Tri-Creek School Corp. Superintendent Rod Gardin end by telling families that the spread of COVID-19 could cause a shift to e-learning for either all schools, or just ones that have quarantined staff.
“A lack of staff members due to isolation or quarantine may also cause a shift to e-learning,” the message from Gardin reads. “It may not be necessary for all of our schools to move to e-learning if there are cases only at one school.”
As schools continue conducting in-person classes, Superintendent Tracy-MacAulay said having students in school is a win, and those who have chosen virtual learning are engaged and doing well.
“I’m hoping this continues for the entire year,” Tracy-MacAulay said. “Our students and staff have been phenomenal and continue to follow the requirements outlined in our re-entry plans … I am proud of these students and families who are graciously navigating a new way of learning.”
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