Westminster Academy, a private school that was one of the first in Broward County to open for in-person learning, has told parents an eighth grader tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials at the 835-student Fort Lauderdale Christian school learned of the case Sunday, according to a letter sent to eighth grade parents Sunday evening. The school was open Monday.
Headmaster Joel Satterly told the South Florida Sun Sentinel the eighth grader appeared to have gotten infected at home. The school has notified the county Health Department, he said.
“It was an isolated case. As I understand, it was through a family contact and had nothing to do with anyone here,” Satterly said.
While the affected student is staying home, the school hasn’t required others who may have been in contact with the child to quarantine, as many schools throughout the country have. Satterly said he’s not aware of any other students who have tested positive.
“I think a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always fly,” Satterly said. “There’s a difference between an isolated incident and an outbreak.”
Parents of children who were in close contact with the infected student were notified, Satterly said. They had the option to return to campus or to switch to the school’s remote learning. Satterly said he’s not aware of any parents who chose to stay home.
The school, which is affiliated with the Coral Ridge Presbyterian megachurch, started classes Aug. 12. Satterly said the school has required students to practice social distancing and wear masks in places where distancing is difficult, such as small classrooms.
This is the first known case in Broward of a student with the virus attending class since some private schools started reopening in mid-August, although it’s possible other schools may be dealing with similar issues. School names are not listed on reports issued by the state Health Department.
The case comes amid a national debate about whether it’s safe to open to schools while COVID-19 remains prevalent. Most public schools in South Florida, including all those run by local school districts, are delaying a return to campuses due to COVID-19 concerns.
Some public school parents are urging districts to open, saying online learning doesn’t work for their children and creates child care issues for working parents. They argue that schools can safely reopen since recent Health Department reports suggest the spread of the virus is easing.
Many private schools have given parents the option of in-person or remote learning. About 90% of families at Westminster chose in-person learning, Satterly said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has urged public schools to open, while Education Commissioner Richard Corcorcan has urged school districts to quarantine only students who had close contact with students, not entire classes or schools.
DeSantis on Monday reiterated his desire to give parents an option to return to school campuses. He spoke at an education roundtable where he appeared with Dr. Scott Atlas, whom President Donald Trump recently appointed to the U.S. coronavirus task force.
“You have to look at data and understand schools are a low-risk environment,” Atlas said Monday. “Children are a very low-risk population. There is virtually zero risk of death and low risk of hospitalization … less than seasonal influenza.”
Satterly said he’s been told the student affected at his school has no symptoms of COVID-19.
Only parents of the school’s 89 eighth graders were emailed Sunday, Satterly said. Students in eighth grade stay as a group and do not have contact with other grades, he said.
In an email to parents, Westminster nurse Sheila Pierce said any students who may have had close contact with the child were personally notified. She asked parents to notify her if anyone in their household tests positive.
“Thank you for partnering and praying for us,” she wrote. “Our students and staff health are our top priority.”
Staff writer Cindy Goodman contributed to this report.
