South Edmonson Going Virtual For Remainder Of Week Due To Several Illnesses

South Edmonson Elementary file photo.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools Brian Alexander has announced that South Edmonson Elementary will be closing for the remainder of the week as a result of high absences due to multiple illnesses and quarantines.

"South Edmonson will be in virtual instruction for the rest of the week December 7th through the 10th." Alexander said. "With 100 kids out at South today and 10 teachers and aides absent, it’s best for South to go virtual the rest of the week. When you look at the entire landscape of learning, health, and safety for the SEE learning community, this is the right call for kids."

While there are 13 confirmed COVID student and 4 staff cases, along with 74 student quarantines, (out of 451 total students and 58 staff members) he said the the school is also being hit hard with strep, flu, and stomach bugs. The school district publishes their COVID data in real time.

A district-wide policy, which went into effect on October 25, 2021, stated that individual schools who have had a positive combined student/staff incidence rate of less than 2.5% for five (5) calendar days will be encouraged to, but not required to wear face coverings. SEES current rate is at 3.34%. No other county school is near that at this time.

The Kentucky Department of Education has allowed school districts the flexibility to make one school virtual while others continue in-person, eliminating the need to shut in-person education down for an entire district.

Edmonson County Parks and Rec Program Director John Kiernan said that youth basketball will be suspended this week as well. The program was planning to recognize teams during the Throwback Game boy/girl doubleheader on Tuesday night at the 5/6 Center, but Alexander said that will be rescheduled.

A decision on the annual Breakfast With Santa Event at SEES will be made later in the week.