DCS goes virtual until Nov. 20

The Daleville City Schools will switch to all virtual learning until Friday, Nov. 20.

The decision was made, said Daleville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Stamps, in the best interest of the students.

“We currently have seven positive cases of COVID-19 including students and staff members in our schools,” Stamps said. “These cases have led to 55 close contacts of students and staff who are currently out of school. Due to these numbers, it is difficult to find substitutes for our classes at all three of our schools.

“Our goal when we began the school year was to continue with face-to-face instruction if at all possible since that is the best way for students to learn,” Stamps said. “However, for the safety of our students and staff at this time, we are going to switch to the virtual mode of learning from Nov. 17 through Friday, Nov. 20 to allow quarantines to expire.

Stamps said that assignments for the four days and the two days of virtual learning on the Nov. 23 and 24 were given Monday, Nov. 16 for students to complete at home. “Teachers will be at school and will be available for questions from parents or students, checking students’ work and planning upcoming lessons, she said.

Preschool classes will continue to meet at school as they fall under specific state guidelines and have to meet their required number of days, she added.

“As usual, we plan to serve meals to students if parents of Windham Elementary School, Daleville Middle School or Daleville High School want to pick up breakfasts and lunches from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the high school front door,” Stamps said. “We are requesting that parents let the school know so we can prepare the correct number of meals. Students should be prepared to inform teachers Monday morning if they plan to get meals these four days. Students up to age 18 can be served meals. We will not serve meals for the virtual days of Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.

Stamps said all athletic practices and games will proceed as scheduled after 3:15 p.m. “It is our hope that people will implement social distancing and follow health directives during the holidays in order to stay healthy,” she said. “We will continue face-to-face instruction on Nov. 30 as usual. We are asking that you monitor your children’s health each morning and keep them home if they are sick.”