COVID-19 cases reported at Limestone County Schools
Parents concerned over virtual learning
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - Four students and one teacher in the Limestone County Schools system have tested positive for COVID-19.
The four students are from Elkmont High School. Eighteen football players are also now quarantining.
District wide, more than 300 students have been sent home to quarantine either with symptoms or the potential to been exposed.
Superintendent Dr. Shearouse said he understands why parents are frustrated with students getting sent home who seem well, but claimed they’re trying to follow all guidelines. He said he hopes to improve this process in the future.
53 students and 7 teachers are now showing possible symptoms for COVID-19.
School officials are sending home any student who may have come into contact with someone who may have symptoms. Those students will quarantine for two weeks.
Any student who has come into contact with a student who showed symptoms or claimed to be experiencing symptoms will be sent home to quarantine for 14 days.
Limestone County Schools went back to in-person and virtual learning last Friday. Since then, concerned parents have called and emailed the WAFF newsroom detailing virtual learning issues.
Executive Director of Curriculum Brad Lewis says, all virtual students will be on track and start with instruction at the beginning of next week.
“We’re putting our procedures in place, putting our teachers in place with their schedules, and the teachers are now contacting all of our students and working through those procedures,” said Lewis. “We’ll be using google classroom, and most of our parents and students don’t have experience with that. So, the first few days we have to have them get familiar and comfortable with using the technology.”
Lewis says more than 2,500 students in the district have chosen the virtual option, which was more than anticipated. Now, as more and more students are removed from school to quarantine due to COVID-19, parents are calling to switch their in-person student to virtual. School leaders say, that’s not an option.
“You had to commit to one semester, and that was clear on our application form. Of course, people’s plans change and things change in life and we’ve had a number of requests for that. Basically, virtual enrollment is closed at this time. But as we move along, we’ll reevaluate and determine what we need to do to meet the needs of our parents and students,” said Lewis.
If your child is quarantining after being exposed to the virus at school, Lewis says the student’s in-person teacher will be responsible for creating an at-home curriculum. The student will not be switched to virtual learning.
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