Struck suddenly by an onslaught of new COVID-19 cases at the elementary level, Carney Public Schools in Lincoln County began virtual classes this week.
Carney Supt. Brian Keith, who is also high school principal, said Tuesday, “Of 165 elementary students, 55 either have tested positive for the Covid, are sick or have been in close contact to someone who has it as of Monday.
“And that may have gone up by the end of the day since some kids were getting sick and went home later,” he commented.
He stressed, too, “We have six staff members in Pre-K through fourth grade who either have the Covid or are awaiting test results.”
Keith said, “We’re starting virtually today (Tuesday) all classes, and will remain virtual until Monday, Aug. 30. We hope to go back to in-person classes at that time,” he added.
He related that one student got sick last Friday, (Aug. 13), then had three more student cases over the weekend. “We have positive cases in almost every elementary class,” he emphasized.
Noting that, “We have more cases already this year than we had totally last year, it’s spreading within our kids,” he continued.
“We still have some kids getting tested.
“No Middle School teachers are out right now, but we do have some Middle School kids with it.”
He explained, “We hope to go back to in-person classes on Aug. 30. That is the plan right now.” Keith said the school began classes on Thursday, Aug. 5. “We have about 225 students K-12. That’s around our average of where we normally are,” he stated.
He explained, “We hope to go back to in-person g. classes on Aug. 30. That is the plan right now.”