A kindergarten classroom that returned to in-person learning at Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8 School temporarily returned to virtual learning Friday and Monday while the family of one student awaits COVID-19 test results.
According to a news release issued Thursday by the V.I. Department of Education, the Department of Health has advised district and school leaders that in-person learning can safely continue within the classroom, which comprises nine students, a teacher and a paraprofessional.
However, out of an abundance of caution and with the best interests of students and faculty in mind, St. Croix District Superintendent Carlos McGregor has authorized the temporary return to virtual learning for the class until the family’s COVID-19 test results are known.
The remainder of the school is not affected and can safely continue in-person learning.
These are the facts, according to the Department of Education:
– A kindergarten family at the school had limited contact with a family friend who has tested positive for COVID-19; the kindergarten family informed school leaders of their possible exposure on March 4.
– The kindergarten family will be tested for COVID-19 by the Department of Health.
– Parents of students attending in-person learning in the kindergarten class have been informed of the matter.
– All students attending in-person learning at Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8 School are organized into ‘bubbles,” with each grade level having access to its own wing, which eliminates contact with other students and areas on the school campus.
– Students remain with their classmates throughout the school day, and students and teachers eat breakfast and lunch inside their classrooms.
– Parents transport students to and from school, thus eliminating different grade levels from intermingling on a school bus.
– These protocols were established as part of the return to in-person learning for all district schools, providing for ease of isolation and contact tracing on campuses, should the need arise.
“All of our schools have plans in place for scenarios such as this,” McGregor explained in the news release. “We know that we are operating in an environment of a global pandemic, so the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remain first. We continue to follow the health guidelines to ensure that we can operate safely. I trust our kindergarten student and their family will be in good health.”
Education Commissioner Racquel Berry-Benjamin pointed out that operating in-person learning safely during the pandemic is the new norm.
“It is to be expected that we will have reports of possible exposure to COVID-19 among students and staff, but the important thing is that we have the appropriate protocols in place, which we have now activated at Pearl B. Larsen,” she said. “Being able to manage these situations with a smaller student population on our campuses will help us strengthen our operations in the fall, with possibly more students returning for in-person learning during the 2021-2022 school year.”
