Principal Mrs. Julie Barthel has notified staff and students about the details for eLearning, as mandated by the Marion County Health Department, starting on Nov. 16 with Mission Monday and continuing at least until Jan. 19.

Barthel wrote in her email, “In the past week, we have seen an extreme spike in positive Covid cases among both our students and our educators.” This spike has been observed across the county and state; the Marion County Public Health Department reported 32,962 total Covid cases as of Nov. 12.

Classes are set to take place in person on Nov. 13 and will continue virtually thereafter. Students will continue with their current schedule during eLearning, and will have Mission Mondays in addition to their regular schedule. There will be no classes on Nov. 25, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving break. 

Barthel emphasized that a more specific eLearning plan will be sent out during the week of Nov. 16, which will detail operations for what she called “support for learning support/learning resource students, one-on-one meetings with counselors (virtual and in person), mental health supports and teacher office hours (virtual and in person).” Overall, Barthel called it an accomplishment that the school was able to maintain face-to-face learning for a majority of the first semester.

Barthel did not reply to a reporter’s request for additional information.