OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Westside Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Lucas announced Wednesday that the district plans to move to in-person learning four days a week starting Thursday, Sept. 17.
Dr. Lucas said in a message posted to the district's website that five staff members and five students have tested positive for COVID-19 since school began on August 18. All cases were contact-traced back to non-school buildings and activities.
Additionally, the school district has had a total of 27 staff and/or students (.004%) out on quarantine because of exposure outside of school.
"We stay in constant communication with the Douglas County Health Department and they continue to report that there are low numbers of confirmed cases within all K-12 schools in Douglas County that are in session, many that have been in GREEN Mode for several weeks now," said Dr. Lucas.
The district continues to look at confirmed cases in staff and students, number of quarantines, how cases/quarantines impact staffing and rates of community spread when making decisions.
"We know that them being here, having that structure, having that routine everyday as well as that interaction is going to benefit everybody," Westside communications director Brandi Petersen said.
Dr. Lucas said unless there is a large breakout in the next week, the district plans on moving to their four day GREEN Mode at all Westside schools.
All willing students will attend school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of each week starting Sept. 17, with Wednesdays remaining at-home/extended campus days through the end of 1st quarter on Oct. 14.
If all goes well with the four day GREEN Mode, the district will transition to a five day GREEN Mode for all of 2nd quarter, which starts on Oct. 19.
See the full message from Dr. Lucas here.
