Area schools taking Covid-19 precautions; mask protest held in Alberton
Several parents held a peaceful protest at the Alberton School Friday, Sept. 10, concerning students wearing masks. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
With Covid-19 cases on the rise, schools in Mineral and Sanders counties are taking various precautions, including the return to at-home learning and cancelling sports events.
According to state figures, Mineral County had three new cases on Sept. 9 and seven new on Sept. 8. Since the pandemic began in 2020, it has a total of 446 cases with 16 active.
In Sanders County, it had three new ones on Sept. 9 and three on Sept, 8. Overall, Sanders has a total of 831 total and 45 active.
Plains High School began remote learning Monday and plans to continue it for the entire week for students in grades 9-12.
According to information on the school website, recent spikes in Covid-19 cases and the extensive list of contact traced students were the reason for keeping high school students at home and cancelling all varsity and junior varsity extracurricular activities until Monday, Sept. 20.
Grades kindergarten through eighth will still be on campus and compete in extra curricular activities.
According to Plains School, from Sept. 5-9, nine students and two staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
At Thompson Falls, from Sept. 8-11, a total of two staff members, one high school student and one elementary student tested positive.
Thompson Falls Public Schools started the school year with masks as recommended but optional in the classrooms and on campus. The CDC has mandated that school bus drivers and passengers wear masks on the bus. This includes activity buses.
"Because this is a federal mandate we are required to follow it or risk losing federal funding. The district is very dependent on federal funding to provide lunches for students, provide special education services, additional teaching and support staff that our local tax dollars would not be able to cover."
At Noxon, one student tested positive on Sept. 8.
At Hot Springs, from Sept. 7-11, two staff members, a high school student, a pre-kindergarten student and two elementary school students tested positive.
The Hot Springs Early K/Prekindergarten was closed for the week of Sept. 13-16.
It is recommended that any person who feels ill seek out their medical provider for specific instructions. For more information, contact Gerald Chouinard Superintendent at 406-741-2962.
In Mineral County, two St. Regis staff members tested positive on Aug. 30. On Sept. 10, another person tested positive.
Last Friday, outside Alberton School, a few people participated in a nationwide protest that took place outside of the school. It dealt with students wearing masks.