(Atlantic) Atlantic Schools Superintendent Steve Barber says the district continues to have a few positive cases of COVID-19. Due to the health and safety plan and the staff, parents, and students, the district’s quarantine numbers remain relatively low.
Mr. Barber says all staff members had the opportunity to get at least one shot. Starting in early March, many of these individuals will receive a second vaccination. In Cass County and across the country, the Iowa Department of Public Health has changed the quarantine guidelines for someone who has received the vaccination is not required to quarantine as long as they do not have any symptoms.
For the week of January 28, one staff member tested positive and one staff member and 14 students were in quarantine, and the Cass County 14-day positivity rating was 8%.
For the week of February 4, one staff member and one student tested positive for COVID-19. One staff member and five students were quarantined, with a 14-day positivity rate of 9%.
For the week of February 11, three staff members and seven students tested positive for COVID-19, four staff members and 18-students were quarantined, and the 14-day positivity rate was 12%.
For the week of February 18, three students and no staff members tested positive for the virus; one staff member and eight students were quarantined, with a 14 –day positivity rate of 12%.
For the week of February 25, two staff members and two students tested positive, and one staff member and eight students were quarantined with a seven-day positivity rate of 6%.
“Here we are at the beginning of March, and our staff is getting geared up for the final quarter of the school year,” said Barber. “As Superintendent, I feel grateful for the ability to offer on-site learning during this challenging period of COVID-19.
“Our elementary diagnostic reading data has shown a large number of students making great progress,” said Barber. “We attribute this to having our students in school along with a concentrated effort from our staff, students and parents.”
Mr. Barber says they continue to look at ways to provide engaging experiences for the students and ensure their safety.
