BY JOE WESSELS
Loveland Local News
LOVELAND, Ohio — No full return to school for Loveland City School District students next week after two counties see an increase in COVID-19 cases and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine moves both counties into “red” alert level.
Superintendent Amy Crouse made the announcement via robocall to district parents around noon today. An unsigned email from the district was also sent to parents.
“In light of both Hamilton and Clermont Counties changing to a red level on the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, Loveland City School District has decided to temporarily pause any changes and remain on the blended learning model for now for all students, to allow us additional time to evaluate,” the email said. “The time is not right to take a step toward bringing more students together…while we await more data.”
School district officials also said they would re-evaluate late next week whether pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students would continue in the blended, or partial in-person and at-home, model for the time being. On Thursday the state of Ohio releases new COVID-19 data, on which the school district intends to base their decision, the email said.
Remote learners who have been attending class via online video conference and participating through a combination of online learning applications and sending in completed “hard copy” work via email or uploading to a website will continue unimpeded, according to district officials.
The district reported its first COVID-19 case in a bus driver on September 14. In an email to district parents, the driver reported the positive test came over the September 12-13 weekend. Contact tracing was done and it was one student had come in close contact with the driver (6-feet or less for more than 15 minutes) and the student’s family was notified. Other student’s families on that driver’s route were also notified.
On September 19, school officials were notified a Loveland Middle School students had tested positive for the virus. The student had last attended school on September 15 but had not been in close contact with anyone and the district did not order any quartinining.
“As always, the safety of our students and staff is our number one priority,” the email said. “We appreciate your patience and understanding during these difficult times.”
Last Updated on October 15, 2020 by Joe Wessels
