MAPS announces temporary closure of Jefferson Elementary
Monday morning, Oct. 26, Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) announced the temporary closure of Jefferson Elementary School.
According to a press release from MAPS Central office, the decision to close the school was made based upon quarantine numbers of students and staff, related to COVID-19.
“Jefferson Elementary School temporarily closed its doors beginning Monday, Oct. 26, due to the high number of quarantine cases affecting students and staff. Jefferson will remain shutdown through Friday, Nov. 6. Quarantine numbers will be monitored daily, in the event re-entry to the building will have to be prolonged.
“It simply got to the point where providing supervision and quality instruction became problematic,” stated MAPS Superintendent Dr. John Sample.
“The increased number of absences are related to the cases of those required to quarantine, than to the number of individuals testing positive.”
Since the beginning of the school year, MAPS teachers have provided instruction virtually and to students in physical attendance. Recently, at the elementary level, entire classes have found it necessary to quarantine due to the increasing numbers of students and staff unable to attend. Jefferson’s temporary closure does not affect other buildings in the district at this time.”
Dr. Sample is hopeful that the number of students and staff subject to quarantine will decrease, in order to return on Monday, Nov. 9.
“We will keep a very close eye on the reports we receive daily,” Sample added.
“In the meantime, it is important that we all take responsibility for maintaining safety and preventing the spread of COVID-19.”