Fatima R-3 during a special meeting Wednesday approved a temporary move to virtual instruction for students in grades 7-12, from Monday through Wednesday of next week. School is not in session Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday due to professional development and parent-teacher conferences, the latter of which has been canceled.
“The safety and health of our students and staff are paramount,” said Superintendent Chuck Woody. “Additionally, we are in the situation I feared with virtually no substitutes available for the employees who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine as a result of exposure to someone who has tested positive.”
As of Wednesday evening, Woody said four staff members had tested positive and two more are in quarantine.
“Everyone has stepped up to help in the absence of substitutes, but it’s taking a toll and creating a challenge regarding the effective education of our students,” said Woody.
There also have been seven students in grades 7-12 to have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Because school is not in session late next week, Woody said the additional weekend days will give students and faculty more time to recover, with the idea being to resume in-person instruction Oct. 13.
Students in grades K-6 will have normal in-seat learning Monday through Wednesday of next week.
Woody in a letter on the district’s website noted that parents and guardians can help the school by limiting their children to exposure over the next several days by keeping them close to home, which would allow Fatima to finish this week strong and provide a better chance of returning to school Oct. 13 in good shape.
During next week’s three days of virtual instruction, any student in grades 7-12 that would like a free lunch or breakfast may do so but parents need to contact the high school office by noon Friday to place that order. Meals for all three days will be ready for pickup at 7:30 a.m. Monday in the cafeteria.
In-person parent-teacher conferences have been canceled for this year for all grades. Parents who would like to discuss their child with a teacher are asked to email that teacher and they will make arrangements beginning next week.
“We understand that this is not ‘normal’ education,” Woody said. “However, under the circumstances with the cases we currently have, and by going virtual for these three days connected to our scheduled break, we can potentially restart classes COVID-free, which will keep us in school longer. We appreciate your patience with this pandemic and our continued effort to provide the best education that we can for our students.”
For updates, visit the school’s website.