Escalating COVID-19 cases are once again having a negative impact on local schools across the state.
Valley Center USD 262 announced that class will be cancelled on Friday, Jan. 14th due to a high number of COVID positive cases. The district said the number of known positive cases in the district increased from 86 to 217 in the last week.
Friday’s emergency closure will be similar to a snow day, as there will be no remote learning. Reps with the district said that more than 10% of their staff were COVID positive. They added that additional staff are out because they have sick children or are dealing with closed childcare facilities. They said that roughly 6% of students were COVID-19 positive.
Once school resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 18th, masks will be required through Jan. 21st at West Elementary School, Wheatland Elementary School, Valley Center Intermediate School and Valley Center Middle School. Masks will be optional but strongly encouraged at Abilene Elementary School and Valley Center High School.
Meanwhile, Hays High School has reinstated its mask mandate until further notice as of Thursday, Jan. 13th. Students, student-athletes, parents, staff and visitors inside of Hays High School are required to wear a mask at all times, including during events and activities. However, there will be no limit on event attendance and social distancing will not be enforced.
This after the El Dorado School district, USD 490, announced earlier in the week that it would be closing school on Thursday, Jan. 13th and Friday, Jan. 14th because of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wichita Public Schools also advised parents on Thursday to prepare for the likely event of school closures.
