DE PERE (NBC 26) -- The School District of West De Pere is joining the list of Northeast Wisconsin schools switching to remote learning due to COVID-19.
In a letter to parents Monday, the school district said it will temporarily transition to Scenario C, which is the district's remote learning scenario, beginning October 1. The school district's goal is to return to in-person learning beginning October 19, but it will depend on the health situation of the community.
The letter from the School District of West De Pere states that it's currently difficult to maintain adequate staffing levels due to the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Like other school districts, West De Pere cited recent statements from local health leaders, who have stated that “not a single instance of community spread has been due to schools being open.” Rather, the school district says, it is the spread of the virus outside of schools that is putting the safety of students and staff at risk.
"We believe that schools can be a very safe place for our children, however, guidance from our local healthcare leaders makes it clear that even exceptional COVID-19 mitigation plans in schools will not withstand the levels of spread we continue to see in our communities," the school district said. "Additionally, hospitals are nearing capacity and emergency departments are continuing to experience overcrowding."
For the current timeline, the school district says the school will stay on its current schedule through September 30. October 1 and 2 will have students at home with no formal instruction; teachers and students will prepare for remote learning. Remote learning will then begin on October 5.
Free breakfast and lunch for all students will continue to be available for pick up, beginning on Thursday, October 1. Click here for more details.
Students previously enrolled in the remote option will continue in their current program. All co-curricular activities will be canceled during this time, beginning on October 1.
