Fulton elementary schools, South Callaway high school pivot to virtual learning

Shown above is the Fulton High School sign.
Shown above is the Fulton High School sign.

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Students at Fulton elementary schools students and South Callaway R-2 High School students both learned Monday they were pivoting to distance learning.

According to the state's COVID-19 dashboard, reporting data as of Sunday, there have been 1,941 cases thus far in Callaway County, with 307 new cases between Oct. 31 and Friday.

Fulton

Bartley, Bush and McIntire elementary schools in Fulton will move to distance learning Wednesday.

More than 40 Fulton Public Schools staff members are quarantining or otherwise unavailable, leaving the district unable to effectively maintain in-seat instruction, according to a Monday update from the district.

This follows an announcement last week that sent Fulton middle and high school students home - that closure, originally projected to end Nov. 16, has been extended to match the elementary school closures.

All students are now expected to return to the classroom Nov. 30.

The only Fulton students still in-seat are at the Fulton Early Childhood Center, which, despite its own temporary closure ending last week, is slated to remain open.

Regardless of whether students are at home or in the building, learning will continue.

Elementary students will be sent home Tuesday with Chromebooks and materials for learning at home. Older students should have taken home the tools they need to continue coursework last week.

Much of distance learning relies on internet access. The district has hotspots available for any household that needs one. To request a hotspot, visit forms.gle/PnkiPSiTfzpKAQvt5.

Meals will be available for students through the Grab and Go program. Each day from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., families can visit Fulton High School or McIntire Elementary School for contact-free food delivery.

On Friday, Fulton Public Schools reported 14 active cases among staff and students, while 206 individuals were at home in quarantine due to potential exposure.

South Callaway

Beginning Tuesday morning, South Callaway High School students will be learning from home for a week. This does not apply to any other South Callaway buildings.

According to a letter to parents, this decision was inspired by an increase in positive cases and quarantines.

"One of these two situations affect over one-quarter of the HS student body and approximately one-third of HS staff," superintendent Kevin Hillman wrote in the letter.

The South Callaway students are expected to return to in-person classes on Monday, so long as they are not personally under quarantine.

During the temporary closure, students will receive specific teacher instructions.