Gibraltar Elementary students will not be in the building for at least a week after Superintendent Tina Van Meer announced on Friday that they would be entering virtual learning beginning on  Monday. In a letter sent to parents and posted on the district's social media channels, Van Meer says she made the decision to slow the spread of COVID-19 within the school and to address staffing shortages within the building. Every grade level in the K-5 building has students and staff members either positive for the virus or in quarantine because of it. Students in grades 6-12 will remain in-person while grades K-5 will be in virtual learning until January 31st. 

They will remain in-person at Southern Door School District, but masking will be required for a second straight week. Southern Door Superintendent Chris Peterson said in a letter to parents that 64 students are currently positive for COVID-19 and he hopes that masking will allow them to stay open. Masking will be strongly encouraged for spectators at the school's athletic events and optional for those participating.

The announcements come after Kewaunee School District spent two days in virtual learning due to staffing shortage concerns and increased illnesses. Washington Island School District spent nearly a month in virtual learning due to positive tests at the school before the holidays. 

LETTER FROM CHRIS PETERSON

Dear Southern Door Families,
Thank you for all of your efforts this past week to "mask up". When our student and staff numbers rise, that is one important mitigation strategy that, we hope, helps keep us open.

Currently we still have 64 students (6%) positive with COVID 19. We are going to extend
the mask mandate through next week (January 24-28) for all students 4k-12. Staying
open is our goal, and fortunately we have been able to accomplish that with your help.
Starting January 20th, spectators at all events will be strongly encouraged to wear masks.

Additionally, masks are optional and encouraged for all players and officials during practices and games (including time-outs). All other masking requirements are to stay in place until further notice.

Again, thank you for your continued cooperation.

LETTER FROM TINA VAN MEER

Good Afternoon,

I am writing to let our school community know that the District has been experiencing staffing shortages and increasing numbers of COVID positive students and employees. In particular, the elementary school has been significantly impacted this week. Every grade level has students/staff who have tested positive or are in quarantine. The number of positive cases has doubled since yesterday. In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our elementary school and maintain the staffing necessary for ongoing teaching and learning, students and staff in the elementary (K-5) will be transitioning to remote learning next week. There will not be an option for in-person learning for students in K-5 next week. Students and staff in grades 6-12 will remain in-person at this time. In-person learning for K-5 will resume on Monday, January 31st. The District will continue to monitor staffing numbers and the degree of spread within the building to determine next steps. This decision has been made with the intention of slowing down the spread of this virus within the building and to ensure staffing levels allow the District to resume in-person teaching and learning as soon as possible. Please contact the District if you have any questions or concerns regarding the information contained in this message.

Sincerely,

Tina Van Meer