Clear Creek Middle/High School will shift to a remote-learning model Tuesday through Friday this week after a CCHS student has tested positive for COVID-19. Families will know on Friday whether remote learning will continue.
There are no additional confirmed cases so far, but another person is exhibiting symptoms. The county was testing about 50 people connected to the case on Tuesday, and anticipated having the test results by end-of-day Friday.
Additionally, dozens of CCHS/MS students have been ordered to quarantine for several days after confirmed or possible contact with the case, according to Tim Ryan, the county’s Public & Environmental Health director.
Ryan described how the county was notified about the positive test results toward end-of-day Friday, and county staff spent the weekend contact-tracing and working with the school and families to limit the spread.
While the building has measures in place to limit the interactions and cross-contamination between middle school and high school students, Ryan confirmed that officials made the decision to quarantine middle school students because there is a direct link between the positive case and a CCMS student.
“This is out of an abundance of caution until we get the test results back,” he said.
Ryan said his department has received reports of people disregarding their orders to quarantine, which means they are not allowed to leave their homes at all, not even for groceries or supplies. He stressed the importance of quarantine, saying it’s one of the few tools the community has to stop or at least limit the spread of the virus.
“I understand people’s challenges and frustrations with it,” he said, adding that someone in his own household has had to quarantine, “but they need to follow it.”
Regarding the remote-learning model, students are asked to log in to Google Meet/Classroom every day following their class schedule. They will receive further information from teachers.
It is especially essential that students report for school on Oct. 1, which is the day that the state takes the official enrollment count that determines funding.
“Our goal is to have students for in-person learning whenever possible, with health and safety as a priority as we make decisions,” according to a letter from principal Chris Gould and Superintendent Karen Quanbeck sent to families Monday. “… We felt the decision to go remote was the best safety measure to allow for consistency in learning. It presents a heck of a challenge for our October count and associated funding. Please help us ensure that we receive essential school funding by making sure your child logs in.”