As Jefferson City's two middle schools return to in-person classes Monday, we don't blame parents for being anxious.
The anxiety for many likely stems from the schools' switch to distance learning Oct. 13. The switch was due to a staffing shortage from too many teachers being in quarantine for COVID-19. Most of the teachers were in quarantine because they were close contacts of cases outside of school.
School district officials believe the past two weeks has allowed the virus to run its course among the students who were infected.
As we recently reported, Thomas Jefferson Middle School has had 36 COVID-19 cases resulting in 57 close contacts since school began Aug. 24. Lewis and Clark Middle School has had 16 cases and 20 close contacts.
Earlier this month, school officials wisely listened to concerns from staff and families and nixed a plan to classify teachers as essential workers.
The move would have given approved teachers who were identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 patient the option to return to work after a seven-day quarantine period.
Instead, the district chose to keep things the way they are currently: If a teacher is identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case, they are required by the Cole County Health Department to quarantine for 14 days from the date of last exposure.
Some other schools have classified teachers as essential, but for the Jefferson City School District, it would have been too risky, especially for staff members, for a district as large as Jefferson City's.
Ironically, our school district declined to classify teachers as essential only because it recognized they are essential.
Let's make a conscious effort to protect them, as well as their students and their families.
We join the district in urging staff, students and families to double down on safety measures as the schools reopen. That includes washing hands, staying home if sick, maintaining social distance and avoiding large gatherings of 25 or more. Last but not least, wear a mask.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as health experts from across the nation, agree masks offer protection for the wearer and those around them from contracting the virus.
Studies show student learning suffers when schools have to go to distance learning. Let's do everything we can to keep our middle schools - and all of our schools - open during this pandemic.
News Tribune