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The Jefferson City School District has extended its Thanksgiving break to offer respite to staff and students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
JC Schools will now be closed Nov. 23-24, and there will be no distance learning on these days. The district is already scheduled to be closed Nov. 25-27, with Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26.
Superintendent Larry Linthacum informed district staff and families of the extension Monday.
"We know that the current conditions have left many of us feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin," he wrote in letters to staff and families. "Balancing social distancing and mask wearing with a concentration on academics for 'in-seat learning,' all while focusing on protecting health and safety is incredibly demanding."
Every building in the district will be closed for Thanksgiving week to allow staff and students to "rest, refuel, and return to 'in-seat' school rejuvenated to continue the semester ahead of winter break," Linthacum wrote.
This update does not apply to JC Schools students enrolled in Launch because these students follow the Springfield Public Schools calendar.
In the letter, Linthacum encouraged staff, students and families to wash their hands, wear masks, stay home if sick, maintain social distance and avoid large gatherings to prevent spread of COVID-19.
"Our community continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases, and we want to again reiterate the importance of following public health measures while you are at school and at home," he wrote.
Since school began Aug. 24, the district has had 112 student COVID-19 cases and 260 students who were close contacts. It has had 77 staff cases and 39 who were close contacts, according to information on the district's website.
Thomas Jefferson and Lewis and Clark middle schools returned to in-seat learning Monday after learning virtually for two weeks due to a staffing shortage from teachers in quarantine and a lack of substitute teachers.
Most of these employees were quarantined because they were in close contact with COVID-19 cases outside of school, Communications Director Ryan Burns said.
This article was updated at 4:15 p.m. Oct. 26, 2020, with additional details.