MANSFIELD — Richland County’s new “purple” status is having an impact on schools across the area.
While many school districts have already gone remote due to staffing shortages and quarantines, others are going remote for the first time or altering plans to stay remote longer than originally announced.
School districts that had already announced remote learning only through the end of the calendar year include Crestview Local Schools, Cypress High School, Lexington Local Schools, Lucas Local Schools and Richland School of Academic Arts.
Discovery School will go remote for the first time, effective immediately.
“As of today’s designation, we are moving to remote learning,” Head of School Julie Schwartz told Richland Source. “Our plan, at this time, is to stay remote through Dec. 11. We will reassess our return next Thursday, Dec. 10.”
Discovery has had no COVID-19 cases among students or staff, except for one case among the preschool staff, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Meal deliveries to bus stops will continue. Families are asked to register for meals on the district website no later than Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. Adult education classes will continue.
Mansfield City Schools will operate under five days a week of remote learning only through Jan. 8. Remote students will be expected to participate in live sessions in Google Meet and complete work assigned by their teachers. Additional information will be provided by staff at each school. Families with scheduling challenges that impact students attending live sessions in Google Meet should contact their school principal.
Daily meal pick-up will be available for students from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mansfield Senior High and Malabar Intermediate. Breakfast and lunch will be included. Meal delivery is available upon request and by filling out a form on the district website.
Ontario Local Schools will transition to virtual learning through Jan. 8. The return to in-person learning is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 11. Families who wish to receive free weekly meals should visit the district website and submit a weekly meal sign up form.
Plymouth-Shiloh Schools will continue remote learning only through Jan. 8.
“It is our goal to return to face-to-face instruction in all buildings on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 if at all possible,” Supt. Brad Turson wrote in a letter to the community. “The scheduled holiday break will remain the same.”
“Please stay safe, wear your mask, wash your hands frequently and social distance to help our students return to our buildings on Jan. 11,” he added.
Pioneer Career & Technology Center will continue with remote learning through next week and resume in-person classes Dec. 14.
Shelby City Schools will continue remote learning through the month of December and immediately following Christmas break. Staff will be reporting to work and teachers will be providing instruction virtually.
The tentative plan is that students will return to face-to-face instruction on Jan 11, according to a letter from Supt. Tim Tarvin.
Furthermore, all student activities, including athletic events and practices, are suspended immediately until further notice.
Families who wish to receive meals during the period of remote learning are asked to sign up weekly for meal services on the district’s website. Meals will continue to be available at each school building and select group bus stops at designated times. The meal sign-up sheet is located on the district website and must be completed each Friday by noon.
Students at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic School will begin remote learning on Dec. 7.
“During this time, we will continue to monitor the case count in our local community (zip codes 44903 and 44905). When we return to a Red Level 3 status, we will return to in person learning if these zip codes are a third or less of the total county cases,” Principal Christa Brubaker wrote in a letter to families.
St. Peter’s School will continue with remote learning through Dec. 11 according to the guidelines and schedules distributed last week. Montessori/Elementary parents (Preschool-6) will be able to pick up their student’s remote learning packets on Dec. 7 from 7 to 10 a.m. at their student’s designated building.
The school is providing a week’s worth of bagged lunches free to any currently enrolled student. Pick up is available every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. or 3 to 5 p.m. at the door behind the cafeteria.
To order, simply email Brenda Schuck on Sunday before 8 p.m. at schuck.brenda@myspartans.org with your student’s name(s), grade level(s), and the time you will pick up.
Clear Fork Valley Local Schools has not adjusted its plans to resume in-person learning on Dec. 14.
“My hope is everyone in the Valley will come together to help our students return to in person learning on Dec. 14 by wearing a mask, social distancing, washing or sanitizing hands and staying home or staying with in their personal pods,” Supt. Janice Wyckoff said.
Mansfield Christian School has also chosen not to alter operations at this time.
This story is being updated as new information becomes available.
