Madison and Sugar-Salem School Districts temporarily close schools

A possible COVID-19 exposure experienced by a Sugar-Salem School District family recently prompted the Sugar-Salem School District superintendent to close schools for at least three weeks.

Superintendent Chester Bradshaw said the children’s mother called him Monday.

“We’re just being cautious. It’s really on a day-to-day basis, actually,” he said.

Plans call to close school for students starting on Tuesday, but teachers will continue to report for work. Junior high school and high school teachers will provide lessons via online instruction. Teachers at the grade and middle school will get creative in delivering their lessons, Bradshaw said.

“School will still be on. It will just be at home,” he said.

Bradshaw didn’t identify the grades of the possibly infected students, and said it could be days before it was known if they had the virus.

“It may be all smoke and mirrors actually. In a couple weeks, if the kids get sick, we made the right move. If they don’t, we could say, ‘We were overly careful’,” he said.

The school has been preparing for a possible closure, Bradshaw said.

“A lot of opinion is that we should be closed anyway,” he said.

On Sunday the Idaho Education Association called on schools to close for at least three weeks.

“Recognizing that school buildings often hold more than 250 people, five days a week, we must close our schools immediately for the health of our communities, students and staff,” said Layne McInelly, President of the Idaho Education Association. “The day a case is confirmed in one of our schools is the day after we should have closed the schools. The time to act is now.”

On Sunday, and despite that recommendation, Gov. Brad Little urged schools to stay open but left it up to individual districts to make the final decision.

"Prepare for the worst-case scenario, but we should also de-escalate alarmism — and that is critical," he said.

On Monday, Madison County School District, Superintendent Geoff Thomas announced that school would close for three weeks starting Wednesday and continue through April 6.

“There will be a soft closure from Wednesday, March 18 (through) Friday, March 27, 2020. This means that no classes will be held,” he said.

During the soft closure, “Grab and Go” breakfasts and sack lunches will be provided from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kennedy, South Fork, Madison Middle School, Madison Junior High and Madison High School.

While students won’t attend class, district employees will continue working, Thomas said.

“Teachers will begin building their online content,” he said.

Thomas also canceled all extracurricular activities or community events from March 18 through April 6.

Plans also call to expand the annual spring break from March 30 to April 6. During this time, no meals will be provided nor will homework or assignments be required.

“I would encourage parents to assist in the effort to contain the potential spread of COVID-19 by keeping their children at home, by avoiding large private gatherings, reinforcing proper hygiene techniques and maintaining social distancing,” Thomas said.

Thomas thanked everyone for the support received and encouraged them to monitor updates provided at msd321.com.

“We look forward to the passing of this virus, and the continued health of our community,” he said.

In Fremont County, the school board met on Monday night to decide whether to keep school open, said Fremont County Superintendent Bryon Stutzman.

“As far as closing, we’ll have an answer in the morning (Tuesday),” he said.

The Idaho High School Activities Association is also canceling the state cheer/dance championships and postponing the state debate championship. It’s also canceling sports activities for all of the association’s schools from Tuesday through Sunday, April 5.

“Implementing cancellations and/or suspension is taken in part with consultation with public health officials to implement best practices in slowing the spread of COVID-19, and, therefore, aid in protection of students and the general public; to reduce competitive inequity among member schools and in an effort to have the opportunity to hold our spring state tournaments/events on the assigned dates/sites as those dates will not be extended,” said the organization.

The CDC via its webpage urges people to prevent the virus by washing their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and especially so after being in a public place. It also advised against touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

“Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.” It said.

As more information is gathered on Upper Valley School District’s plans in closing and reopening, the Standard Journal will update this story.