COVID spike prompts Lincoln School to briefly switch to remote learning

Lincoln School students spent this week out of school as they returned to remote learning following an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at Lincoln Schools.

The administration made the decision when it became clear the number of confirmed and suspected cases among both staff and students was high enough that in-person classes weren't feasible.

"There are 11 percent of the staff who have tested positive, and all are breakthrough cases," Packer told the BVD in an e-mail. "At least 16 percent more of the staff have symptoms and will need to stay home"

Student numbers are harder to track, but she said they know at least 10 percent of them tested positive.

"Nearly all of high school and half of elementary would be considered direct close contact."

Packer said the positive cases were reputed over a brief period of time but doesn't have any information on how many cases were due to the Delta Variant, which has generally been responsible for the uptick in cases since July.

With the number of cases increasing daily, Packer said they decided it would be better to move to remote learning this week. With Lincoln's four-day school week, the decision gives students the necessary ten-day period, starting last Friday, Sept. 17, to self-isolate.

"It will give us time to deep clean the school and then be ready to resume as normal on Monday, Sept. 27," Packer said.

The number of COVID cases and their impact on the student athlete's ability to play led to the cancellation of this week's volleyball and football games, but they are working to reschedule them. It also meant the school has had to push back Homecoming, and the planned homecoming parade through town, until the week of Oct. 11.

"This will give students time to build their float and organize activities for that week. Homecoming is one reason why we decided to try and get ahead of this, so we could make sure we can continue to have Homecoming and other activities that have been cancelled in the past," Packer said.

Although plans call for just the one week off, with in-person classes set to resume Monday, Packer said that could change based on the situation, particularly if more teachers come up as positive and they can't find enough substitute teachers.