MCSD students will return to school in phases after break due to COVID-19 concerns
Columbus public schools won’t reopen for classes after Christmas break on the same date, due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Based on current data and advice from the local medical community and public health agencies, Muscogee County School District students will return for the spring semester using a phased-in approach,” MCSD announced Friday in a news release.
Here are the two phases:
Phase one: Jan. 6-15
- Choice model: prekindergarten through fifth grade and self-contained special-education classes.
- Virtual instruction: grades 6-12..
Phase two: Jan. 19
- Choice model: all students in all grades.
The choice model is based on what the students and their families selected, either in-person classes or virtual instruction.
“The District requests that all parents and/or legal guardians help students prepare for this approach,” the news release says. “Each student should receive his/her learning device and instructional materials prior to leaving school for winter break. Each device should be stored in a safe space and remain fully charged.”
An hour later Friday, MCSD released its weekly COVID-19 report, showing the data contributing to the alarm.
The number of reported positive COVID-19 tests reported to MCSD has nearly tripled in the past two weeks, from 24 cases (11 students, 13 employees) Nov. 23-Dec. 4 to 68 cases (50 students, 18 employees) Dec. 14-18.
And the number of in-person students and school-based employees in quarantine or isolation more than doubled, from 357 (294 students, 63 employees) to 845 (730 students, 115 employees) during the same period.
MCSD has 31,507 students, with 52% registered for in-person classes. MCSD has 5,175 employees, with 69% based at a school.
This news came the day after MCSD announced the coronavirus prompted one of its schools to close for the break early.
The Ledger-Enquirer reported Thursday that Columbus High School students will have only virtual classes Friday, Monday and Tuesday because of what MCSD said was “a recent increase in exposures and two or more linked positive COVID-19 cases at the location.”
COVID-19 has disrupted operations in three other Columbus area school districts this week.
The L-E reported Monday that Smiths Station High School stopped conducting in-person classes for the rest of the week, and the Troup County School System will conduct only virtual classes during the week after Christmas break.
Wednesday, the L-E reported the Harris County High School boys basketball team has suspended its season due to the coronavirus. After completing their quarantine, the Tigers are expected to resume their season Dec. 26.
This story was originally published December 18, 2020 at 3:28 PM.
