North Kingstown High School Shifts To Remote Learning

North Kingstown RI

07 December, 2020

11:10 AM

Description

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI—North Kingstown High School announced that it has switched to remote learning as of Wednesday, December 2 due to an increase in COVID-19 cases within the school and possible in-school transmission. Students will learn from home through Friday, December 11 and are scheduled to return to the district's hybrid learning model the following Monday. Since November 19, 13 North Kingstown High School students have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a letter sent out to families from Superintendent Phil Auger on December 1. Another 174 students were required to quarantine during that time and a total of nine staff members were absent due to positive tests or exposure to the virus. "In the most recent case at NKHS, we feel we have had more extraordinary circumstances," said Auger in the letter. "The increasing number of isolated home-based student and staff quarantines have factored into our decision to go distance learning there for two weeks." "The other important factor in our decision making was that yesterday, for the first time in all of NKSD, we experienced a case where we believe COVID transmission occurred in school," he continued. "These factors led us to the decision to do whole-school distance learning for eight school days-enough to get all involved past their quarantine periods. Auger said that once the district learns of positive cases, the school's nurses and administrators work with the Rhode Island Department of Health to identify close contacts and those who should receive a test following potential exposure. The school also deep cleans specific areas when necessary and follows all health department recommendations. "I greatly appreciate all of the ways our NKSD employees and parents have responded to this crisis," said Auger. "This year has not been easy. You have concerns for yourself and your family's health, and you have been so committed to the needs of our students, going about your work and responsibilities always with safety being a priority." As of December 1, Auger told families that there is no current plan to move to distance learning for a longer period of time. However, if in-school spread becomes more evident and cannot be kept under control, or if too many staff members are required to quarantine, the district will reevaluate.