Columbia Public Schools schedules three-day closure amid COVID-19 omicron spike
In a previously unplanned move, Columbia Public Schools will not be in session for students Friday, Jan. 21; and Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 24 and 25, Superintendent Brian Yearwood wrote Friday in an email to families.
"Student and staff absences, as well as all other pressures, continue to increase," Yearwood wrote in the email. "In preparation for the remainder of this variant peak, we are making adjustments to our current school year calendar to provide some relief for our schools and our staff."
Teacher absences have been widespread as the omicron variant sweeps through the community and schools.
The days will be used as teacher work days, the email states.
Early release days on Feb. 9 and March 9 also will be added to the school year calendar. All of the calendar changes are pending the approval of the school board next Thursday.
More: Missouri hits new monthly record for COVID cases as omicron variant spreads
On Thursday afternoon, the district announced a temporary reinstatement of a mask requirement in schools beginning Tuesday through Feb. 4.
The district's COVID tracker on Friday showed 96 staff members and 441 students absent, either testing positive or quarantining as a close contact.
"As we continue to do our very best for scholars every day during these unprecedented times, we ask for continued grace, patience, kindness and understanding," Yearwood wrote.
More: At-home COVID-19 test kits are scarce in Columbia. Here's how you can get tested.
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This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia Public Schools will close for three days, citing COVID surge
