UPDATE: Iola-Scandinavia middle/high school to close
By Greg Seubert
An increased number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has resulted in the Iola-Scandinavia School District’s decision to temporarily close its middle school/high school building.
Starting Monday, Oct. 12, the district will switch to all-virtual learning for its middle school and high school students in grades 7-12.
“Today, the Iola-Scandinavia School District received guidance from the Waupaca County Health Department that based on a significant increased number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the safest path forward is to temporarily close our MS/HS building on Monday, Oct. 12, to prevent further spread,” District Administrator Ray Przekurat wrote in an Oct. 7 letter posted on the district’s website and Facebook page.
“At this point, there are four known cases and three pending cases in our district,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Iola-Scandinavia Elementary School students will continue with in-school learning.
“Our elementary will remain in-person due to the cohort model we have been using since the start of the school year,” Przekurat wrote. “This change was also determined by our transition decision framework that was developed in partnership with the superintendents in Waupaca County, the Waupaca County Health Department, our reopening committee and our school board.”
Students in grades 7-12 will switch to at-home learning beginning Oct. 12.
“We expect this model to remain in place for at least two weeks,” Przekurat wrote. “At that point, we will re-evaluate the situation and determine if we can safely reopen our school building. It is our hope that this is a temporary measure.”
The district will decide how to handle co-curricular activities, including athletics.
“I know this is disappointing news,” Przekurat wrote. “However, the health, safety and well-being of our school community remains our top priority. We are following sound protocols aligned with expert health guidance to ensure we are doing everything we can to minimize risk and ensure the learning process can continue.”
He urged parents to watch for COVID-19’s primary symptoms, which include shortness of breath, coughing, fever or chills, congestion, sore throat, diarrhea, abdominal pain, body aches and loss of taste or smell.
“If you or your child begins to experience symptoms, please consult a health care provider and notify the school office,” Przekurat wrote. “While we know remote learning is not optimal, we are working hard to ensure a high-quality learning experience for all students and that connections between and among students and teachers continue.”