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Marshall schools move to distance learning

MPS facing rising COVID-19 numbers, over 200 in quarantine across school district

MARSHALL — Marshall Public Schools announced Monday that it will switch to distance learning for the next two weeks.

Superintendent Jeremy Williams said the school district is faced with a rising number of staff and students either testing positive for COVID-19 or having to quarantine.

“County numbers continue to rise at a steady rate. In the school community we’ve also seen an increase in the number of staff and students testing positive along with an increased number of persons being asked to quarantine due to close contact,” Williams said.

In addition to holding distance learning classes until Nov. 27, MPS said all non-varsity fall sports will be discontinued. Varsity volleyball and football will be allowed to finish their seasons and practice in person.

Williams said the rise in COVID-19 and quarantine numbers was spread out across the district. According to MPS’ COVID-19 dashboard, as of Monday morning 11 staff members and 12 students had tested positive for COVID-19. Of the total 23 cases, 10 were reported at Marshall High School, four at the middle school, two cases each at MATEC, Park Side Elementary and West Side Elementary. Three positive cases were reported at other locations in the school district.

As of Monday morning, a total of 265 staff and students were in quarantine due to close contact with a positive COVID-19 case. The MPS COVID-19 dashboard said 84 people were in quarantine from the middle school, 69 from the high school, and 61 from Park Side.

Numbers of positive COVID-19 cases have been jumping up by the double digits in Lyon County recently. On Monday, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 35 new cases of COVID-19 in Lyon County. A cumulative total of 1,280 Lyon County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, and there have been six deaths.

MPS said there will be no classes on Wednesday or Thursday, to allow school staff to prepare for the switch to distance learning. Distance learning classes will start Friday, and run through Friday, Nov. 27. While the district is in distance learning, MPS is asking that students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 be reported to the school nurse for monitoring purposes.

MPS said winter sports and activities that are scheduled to begin during the next two weeks will not be allowed to start in-person. Only virtual contact or coaching will be allowed to take place until further notice. Other school activities that are currently taking place virtually can continue to do so, if possible. However, there should be no in-person meetings at school or anywhere else.

While the district is in distance learning, child care will still be offered to families of essential workers, and families can still participate in the free lunch program. Meals can be picked up at Park Side, West Side, Marshall Middle School or Marshall High School between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Whether or not MPS returns to a hybrid learning model on Nov. 30 will depend partly on county and school COVID-19 numbers, Williams said.

“We are thankful that we were able to make it through first quarter before moving in this direction,” Williams said. “Right now, we really need the help of the community in not attending large group gatherings and by also taking increased safety precautions so students can return to school in the hybrid model.”

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