Virtual learning will be required for all students
By Robert Cloud
The New London School District will close all its buildings, beginning Monday, Oct. 5.
All students must learn online for at least two weeks.
On Wednesday, Sept. 30, the district announced that New London Intermediate/Middle School would close the following day on Oct. 1.
The middle school has about 700 students in fifth through eighth grade and more than 70 instructors.
Four middle school students and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the New London School District’s Covid Dashboard.
As of Oct. 1, the dashboard indicated 63 students and nine staff at the middle school are in exposure-related quarantines.
Initially, the district was concerned with the middle school’s covid numbers.
But the number of confirmed cases and quarantined staff has been rising in other buildings.
Throughout the New London School District, six students and five staff have tested positive.
Districtwide, 124 students and 16 staff are quarantined, as of Oct. 1.
“When we reflected on our district numbers overall and the 264 new cases reported in Waupaca County over the past two weeks, we believe the numbers on Oct. 7, our next determination date, will mimic the numbers we saw yesterday,” District Administrator Scott Bleck said. “We’re trying to get ahead of what we know is coming throughout the county and in our district.”
Bleck noted the district has 21 teachers who are either quarantined or have tested positive.
The sudden shortage of teachers and substitutes accelerated the district’s decision to close its schools to in-person learning.
“A significant percentage of our workforce is not active at this time due to the pandemic,” Bleck said.
Other schools
At Lincoln Elementary School, the district reported one student and two staff who tested positive, while 32 students and two staff have been quarantined.
At Parkview, one student and no staff have tested positive, while 20 students and two staff have been quarantined.
No students or staff have tested positive or quarantined at Readfield or Sugar Bush. No staff at these two schools has tested positive as of Oct. 1, but one teacher from each of the schools has been quarantined.
At Catalyst Academy, no students or staff have tested positive, while two students and no staff have been quarantined.
At New London High School, no students or staff have tested positive, and eight students and no staff have been quarantined.
Bleck said he understands the impact closing the schools and shifting instruction to virtual learning will have on families.
“We appreciate their patience as we work through this pandemic,” Bleck said.