Swain County Schools students in kindergarten through 5th grade will return to in-person instruction four days a week beginning on Monday after the school board decided to move to Plan A. | Stock Photo
Swain County Schools students in kindergarten through 5th grade will return to in-person instruction four days a week beginning on Monday after the school board decided to move to Plan A. | Stock Photo
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will return to in-person instruction at Swain County Schools beginning Monday, Oct. 19, after an emergency meeting of the school board agreed to move the students to Plan A.
Alison Cochran, director of Swain County Health Department, told the board that while COVID-19 numbers had been fluctuating for the county since July, the percentages for positive tests and fatalities had remained relatively low, the Smoky Mountain Times reported in September.
“Younger kids are not catching and transmitting COVID like older individuals are. With Plan A you do not have to social distance, but I highly recommend it,” Cochran said, the Smoky Mountain Times reported. “If one student comes back positive, you’re looking at putting the entire classroom out. Social distancing, in my opinion, is key right now, as well as masks and enforcing that these safety precautions are followed. I would wait and not bring in Plan C at this time and if you decide, then get the A&B groups together for four-six weeks or so and also see how many positives we may (hopefully not!) end up with. You’ll have to go completely remote if you lose your staff.”
Alerts Sign-up