Update 4:45 p.m.
Wamego High School will in fact switch to a hybrid learning model as a result of rising numbers of students in quarantine. The hybrid model will be adopted for at least the next three weeks.
Superintendent Tim Winter confirmed to KMAN late Tuesday afternoon the district’s decision after the high school saw its number of quarantined students rise from 13 Friday to 62 on Monday. The increase in quarantines were a direct result of three positive student cases within the high school. At least two dozen students reportedly were feeling ill on Monday. The high school is the only district building experiencing high quarantine numbers.
A letter from Principal Kale Katt, sent out to families Tuesday states the district will use Wednesday and Thursday as transition days to switch over to hybrid with Friday being an all-block remote day where students will check-in to each of their classes via Zoom.
Starting Monday, students will split into two groups and will attend school on-site twice per week and remotely three times per week. The district plans to return to on-site learning by Nov. 30, if the situation improves.
Original story 8:27 a.m.
Wamego High School may be forced to switch its mode of teaching and learning if it can’t slow the spread of COVID-19 in its building.
In a letter to USD 320 families Monday, Superintendent Tim Winter said the district has reached a COVID-19 crossroad after the number of quarantined students at the high school grew from 13 to 62 from Friday to Monday. The increase in quarantines is a direct result of just three positive student cases within the high school.
Winter says approximately two dozen students were reportedly feeling ill Monday. The current number of quarantined students (62) is 14 percent of the onsite enrollment at the high school. The high school is the only building experiencing high numbers.
While school continued in person Tuesday, Winter says if they experience even one or two more positive cases this week, it is “very likely the district will need to move to a hybrid learning model.” A threshold of 20 to 25 percent (approximately 90-110 students) will be used to determine a shift to hybrid or remote learning.
Winter says the district’s data indicated the spread is occurring at non-school events, and is urging families and the community to recommit to COVID-19 best practices.
