Outbreak of COVID-19 forces Grove School District to halt in-person education

(From Grove School District Superintendent Pat Dodson)

Yesterday I made the decision to transition to distance learning due to COVID positive students and teachers in our district. 

At day's end, we were unable to confidently identify all staff and students, who were in close contact with the positive student at the Upper Elementary, so my initial decision was to transition only the UE to distance learning. 

Seventeen staff members throughout the district, however, would not be present at school if the UE closed in order to quarantine their own kids.

I then received notice at 3:00 pm that a high school student tested positive. 

Again, we were unable to verify close contact at such short notice, therefore, I initiated the CDC recommended protocol of a 10-day quarantine. In essence, we needed time to thoroughly investigate and contact trace the positive cases. 

If we were unable to identify students at potential exposure risk, we would remain closed for the recommended 10-day quarantine. 

Last night and early this morning, however, our principals worked tirelessly combing through hours of school security video to identify any students who may have come in close contact with the positive students in the past few days.

Today we identified and contacted all students who may have been exposed, as well as the positive students and their siblings and required them to remain in quarantine for ten days. 

This being done, we are recalling all other students to class on Monday, August 24. All extracurricular activities may resume on Saturday. 

Families that were planning on picking up devices and materials from the LE and ECC will not have to do so, as school will be in session on Monday. I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding as we navigate through these uncharted waters. I assure you that my focus and priority will always be to keep our students and staff safe. I ask that you all please assist us by wearing face covers to minimize the COVID spread and help us keep our kids in school.