Oregon-Davis students returned to the classroom Monday, following a switch to virtual learning on October 7. Superintendent Bill Bennett told the school board Monday night that the schools are almost back up to a full staff.
“We’ve got a few we’re waiting to come back from quarantine,” he said. “A lot of students returned today. We’ve got a few more coming back, so hopefully, we can get a nice stretch in here again before Thanksgiving.”
But with COVID-19 cases on the rise, Bennett noted that some flexibility may be needed. “It’s kind of like last time,” he explained. “It could be an hour or two notice, and we might be pulling the plug to do something.”
He noted that going forward, it may be possible for one school to remain open for in-person learning while the other switches to virtual, with the state encouraging elementary schools to remain open as long as possible. Bennett said between 30 and 40 students showed up for the homework help that was available at the elementary school while regular classes were closed.
He also reported that Oregon-Davis officially got its approval to offer free breakfast and lunch to students through May, as now allowed by the USDA. Meanwhile, board members approved a $5,000 stipend for School Nurse Tricia Huitt, citing her extra duties with contact tracing and other COVID-related measures.
According to this week’s numbers from the Indiana Department of Health, Oregon-Davis Junior/Senior High School has had fewer than five cases each in the student, teacher, and staff categories. Fewer than five students at the elementary school had tested positive, as of last Friday.
