Grandview schools to keep in-person learning despite rising COVID numbers
Grandview Heights Schools has seen an increase in the number of students and staff members testing positive for COVID-19 since classes resumed after the winter break.
But the district is not considering any changes in its learning model, Superintendent Andy Culp said.
"It's my belief that with the success we've had with the mitigating strategies we've taken throughout the school year, we will be able to continue to hold school in-person," he said.
Grandview returned to daily, in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year with a requirement that all students and staff wear masks for all indoor activities.
"That's all indoor activities on school grounds 24/7, 365 days," Culp said.
The district also mandated students will be distanced by three feet when possible and encouraging handwashing and sanitizing throughout the day, he said. Enhanced cleaning also is taking place in school buildings.
"We aren't seeing linked cases and spread in the schools," Culp said.
Guidelines set by Franklin County Public Health and based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said vaccinations are the best way to mitigate the spread of COVID followed by masking, social distancing and frequent handwashing and cleaning of surfaces, he said.
Franklin County Public Health's COVID website shows a vaccination rate of 82.96% in the 43212 ZIP code as of Jan. 25.
That includes the entire population within the ZIP code, not just school population, Culp said.
"The vaccination rate within our school district boundaries is comparable with those of other school districts," he said.
The district's mitigating strategies have helped minimize the spread of COVID in school buildings, district nurse Amy Elliott said.
The district has been seeing the highest rate of COVID cases among students and staff during the pandemic period beginning about the Christmas holiday, she said.
The first indication the rates were increasing came from student-athletes reporting status for games and other team activities, Elliott said.
The district's COVID-19 dashboard on Jan. 25 showed that there 55 students and staff were testing positive for COVID and 166 students and staff who were "recovered," meaning they had completed their isolation period and had been released to return to school or work.
The combination of the active holiday season and the spread of the Omicron variant likely has led to the increased numbers, Elliott said.
Despite the increased number of cases, "we still have a high percentage of attendance rates. The percentage has stayed in the low to mid-90%," Culp said.
The district also has been able to find a sufficient number of substitute teachers needed to help cover staff absences, he said.
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This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Grandview Heights Schools to keep in-person learning despite rising COVID numbers
