COVID-19 outbreak forces KCK elementary school to online classes
As Kansas City area schools return to in-person classes, one elementary school is moving back to remote learning.
Four students and three staff members at Oak Grove Elementary School tested positive for the coronavirus, exposing more than 100 other students, according to a news release from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.
Students will return to in-person classes on Oct. 20 or 14 days after the last known exposure to the virus. Currently, the last known exposures were on Oct. 5, according to the release.
“This serves as a reminder of both the importance of contact tracing and of partnerships to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Alan Greiner, chief medical officer for the Unified Government, said in the release.
According to the release, the families of all the exposed students have been notified and asked to quarantine. The Wyandotte County health department will provide free COVID-19 testing to all Turner School District staff, students and parents from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday at the school, 5340 Oak Grove Road.
The school will be “thoroughly cleaned and disinfected” before students return to the building, the release said.
Turner School District is currently operating at 50% capacity. Students have the choice between participating in “blended learning” or remote school.
“Student safety is our top priority and while unfortunate, we hope this temporary measure will slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” Jason Dandoy, the district’s superintendent, said in the news release.
In Johnson County, districts are moving toward bringing all students back to classrooms, at least part time. On Thursday, Sanmi Areola, public health director, said that all public schools with students learning in-person have experienced at least one COVID-19 case or quarantine.
The Blue Valley district now has all students learning in-person at least two days a week. Olathe district officials have announced plans for older students to start returning to school buildings on Oct. 19. And on Monday, Shawnee Mission allowed elementary students back in classrooms for the first time since last spring.
This story was originally published October 8, 2020 at 4:49 PM.
