HOULTON, Maine — For the second time in 12 days, students at Houlton High School will be switching to a remote learning model following the identification of a positive COVID-19 case in the school.
RSU 29 Superintendent Ellen Halliday informed parents of high school students Sunday afternoon that the school was switching to a remote learning model from Monday, Dec. 14, through Friday, Dec. 18.
Middle school students are not currently impacted and will still attend classes in person at Houlton Middle-High School.
“Due to the number of staff members at Houlton High School who have been identified as close contacts and the lack of substitutes to cover those classes, all Houlton High School students will be remote,” Halliday stated in the letter. “At this time, we plan to resume in person instruction for Houlton High School students on Monday, Dec. 21. All other schools including Houlton Middle School will continue to have in-person instruction for the week of Dec. 14 through December 18.”
A similar occurrence took place Nov. 29, as high schoolers switched to a remote method of education for two days.
Schools throughout Aroostook County have been shutting down in the past few weeks as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb. SAD 1 (Presque Isle), RSU 89 (Katahdin), RSU 39 (Caribou), Limestone School District, SAD 42 (Central Aroostook), and SAD 45 (Washburn) are among those school districts that have decided to go remote until after the Christmas break.
Halliday stated the school has been directed by the Center for Disease Control to notify students and adults who had close contact with the individual who tested positive, and informed those students that they must quarantine for 10 days from last contact. The quarantine period was reduced by the state from 14 days to 10.
Calls were made to parents on Sunday afternoon. Parents or guardians who did not receive a phone call were not believed to have had any contact with the individual.
“None of the cases of identified individuals were contracted at school,” the letter states. “Our schools continue to follow all of the safety and health care precautions. Many recent studies have shown that schools are one of the safest places for our students to be.”
For school specific questions, parents are advised to contact Holly Hodgkins, school nurse, at (207) 731-7866. For general COVID-19 questions, dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695). You can also text your ZIP code to 898-211 or email info@211maine.org. Call a health care provider for questions about your symptoms. More information can be found at www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
