Schools shift to distance learning, prep for challenging winter
The Mitchell School District and Condon School District are going into the holiday week with challenging times on the horizon.
In letters to parents and the community, both schools said that they had reported positive cases of COVID-19 among the student body.
In Condon, grades K-8 will do distance learning from November 23rd – 25th. Classes for one cohort, grades 4th-6th closed in-person instruction on November 16th after two positive cases were reported within the student body. Students in that cohort will not return until November 30.
Mitchell will close all classes, K-12 next week after one positive case was reported within the student body. Students will begin their distance learning program on November 30th. In-person classes will resume on December 7th.
Condon School Superintendent Michelle Geer said in a letter to families that the school is preparing for challenging months ahead. It is not only the virus that is causing problems, but the staffing shortages that come with seasonal illnesses.
In her letter, Geer said “This year has brought many challenges for us all, and with the current COVID-19 guidance around staff and student illness, the District is going to struggle with keeping enough staff on-site through cold and flu season.”
Mitchell School Superintendent Vince Swagerty said in a letter that after consulting with the Wheeler County Public Health Department, the school opted to close.
“This decision will help ensure that all students and staff are safe and healthy,” Mitchell School Superintendent Swagery said in his letter.