Positive COVID-19 tests close schools in Sanders, Mineral counties

St Regis Schools will shut down November 20 through November 30 and will reopen December 1.

One teacher and two students tested positive for the Covid virus this week, which resulted in 55 students being identified as close contacts. Thursday morning there were 46 students in the building as parents chose to keep their children home.

“I sent out a notification to the community very early this morning to let parents know that the board is discussing on Friday a possible closure due to the impact of these cases,” said Joe Steele, superintendent of St Regis Schools. “This morning parents let us know they support a closure by not sending their students to school.”

School is planning to reopen December 1, and the number of students in the building will be monitored to determine if parents plan to keep their students home. If a large number of students are being switched to remote learning, administration and the board will discuss the possibility of going remote for the rest of the semester and possibly longer.

“I strongly encourage parents to use this time to limit their children’s exposure,” Steele said. “Taking steps outlined by the CDC, the Governor, and our local health department will help reduce the spread and allow us to get our students back in school.”

Guidelines for preventing spread include wearing a mask in public, frequent hand washing, avoid touching the face, limiting the number of people you come in contact with, limit exposure to large gatherings, and staying home when not feeling well.

Concerns and questions can be directed to the administration at 649-2311.

On November 19, 2020, the Noxon School District was notified that a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19. The positive test was confirmed on November 19, 2020. The staff member last worked in person-to-person contact with fellow students/staff at Noxon Schools on November 12th, 2020.

If any staff or students are at risk of exposure, the Sanders County Health Department will be in contact with that person to determine a safe and appropriate course of action. It is still recommended that any person who feels sick or ill, seek out their medical provider for specific instructions.

As a precautionary measure, we have decided to close Noxon Schools starting tomorrow and return to school on Monday, November 30th, for all Noxon Schools. This closure is to allow time for additional deep cleaning and sanitizing as well as allowing time for Sanders County Public Health to conduct contact tracing. Students will be dismissed at regular time today. We are continuing to work closely with Sanders County Public Health to assist them.

Due to privacy constraints, Noxon School District is unable to provide additional information regarding the positive COVID-19 case. Staff and students who are determined to be close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case will be contacted individually by Sanders County Public Health during their contact tracing efforts.

There is no school tomorrow, Friday, November 20th and we won't be in session again until Monday, November 30th. There will not be any online classes during this time as the school will be closed.