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

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.

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.”