Helmsburg Elementary parents learned this evening (Jan. 7) that instruction will be delivered only remotely for the next several days.
The message from Superintendent Laura Hammack, Principal Kelli Bruner and Corporation Nurse Holly Gordon says that a staff member reported a positive test today. The school already had 9 percent of students or staff out because of active exposure before that announcement, so this case pushed the school past the 20-percent threshold. At that point, a school moves directly to “red” status, meaning only remote learning.
This change is effective through at least Wednesday, Jan. 12, but may have to be extended if more cases are added, the message said. When the red status is lifted, students can return on the “green,” in-person level of the plan.
“Teachers will be posting activities and assignments in Canvas. We will work on a plan to distribute Chromebooks as soon as possible,” the message said.
“All students at SES, VBES, and BCIS will report to school on the Green Level of our plan tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 8.
“Students at Brown County Junior High School and Brown County High School remain on the Yellow Level of the plan. Jan. 8 is a gold day.
“We will work to provide meal kits for all remote learners and will release more information about food service distribution when it is available.”
This is the second elementary school to hit “red” status this school year; Sprunica also was on that plan before Christmas break. The high school and junior high have been going to school part-time in person and part-time remotely on the “yellow” level since November.
COVID exposure levels, symptom report percentages and numbers of COVID cases in each school are all posted daily on the school district’s website browncountyschools.com/covid-19-updates under the “daily metric report” link.
“We regret the inconvenience of this necessary transition,” tonight’s message said. “Please communicate your questions/concerns and we will work to address them as soon as possible.”
