Chapman USD 473 officials said Wednesday after consulting with Dickinson County health officials that they have made the decision to transition to at home remote learning for their 6-12 students at Chapman Middle School and Chapman High School.
Jerry Hodson, Superintendent, noted that Dickinson County has been experiencing a growth in positive COVID-19 cases. "As a result of that we've had a number of our teachers and staff members be subject to quarantine. As of right now ( Wednesday afternoon ) we've got about 50 students that are quarantined and about 17 staff members that are quarantined so it's kind of making it hard for us to have school when we have 17 staff members that are out."
Students in grades 6-12 will transition to in home remote learning starting on Friday and continuing through Oct. 7. Classes will resume at the middle school and high school on Oct. 8. Middle School and high school teachers will begin remote instruction this Friday.
There will not be any classes at the middle or high schools this Thursday to allow teachers to prepare for the transition to remote instruction. All elementary school buildings and preschools in USD 473 will be in session on Thursday.
Hodson noted that two adults and four students had tested positive while 51 students and 17 staff members are quarantined. Lunches will continue to be offered for the 6-12 students during remote learning with building principals providing information in the near future.
All after school athletic and activity programs are suspended effective immediately. That will include all practices and scheduled competitions through Oct. 7. The intent is to resume practice on Thursday, Oct. 8. That target date will still allow all high school athletes an opportunity to be eligible for KSHSAA postseason competitions.