ETHS COVID-19 Outbreak Prompts Shift To E-Learning Until January

EVANSTON, IL — The sharply rising number of coronavirus cases among Evanston Township High School students led school officials to first cancel all non-instructional activities for the next week before announcing a shift to remote instruction.

The transition to e-learning comes after administrators said a remote learning option was not available. The announcement followed a three-hour lockdown at ETHS triggered by the discovery of two handguns on campus.

Superintendent Eric Witherspoon said he made the decision to take an "adaptive pause" starting with asynchronous instruction on Friday and remote learning in real-time beginning Monday.

"The Adaptive Pause is a short-term mitigation strategy that allows time for local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID situation impacting the school," Witherspoon said. "At this time, ETHS and local health officials have identified core group outbreaks throughout the district."

The superintendent's message, provided Thursday evening, was the first indication that the school is experiencing more than one outbreak. District officials have yet to disclose how many students have tested positive so far this week.

All sports, clubs or other extracurricular events are on hold until winter break, which runs from Dec. 24 to Jan. 9, district officials first announced Thursday morning.

"Scheduled virtual events will be held and if possible, certain events may be rescheduled," according to a notice from the school.

Taya Kinzie, associate principal for student services, said there were 53 cases of students or staff testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday and Tuesday alone, compared with just 52 cases detected since Aug. 16.

"At this time we have 1 core group outbreak, composed of a sports team," Kinzie said in a message to staff Tuesday that was later shared with students. "ETHS will contact students and their families when cases are identified as part of their core group."

Kinzie said a school outbreak is defined as either the infection of at least three cases or 10 percent of a group, such as classroom, arts group or sports team.

The number of students infected has continued to surge, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Multiple large parties last weekend have been blamed for spreading infections.

Patch requested more information about the total number of COVID-19 cases detected this week among students and staff and the source of the outbreak from a district spokesperson but did not receive a response Thursday.

"ETHS continues to consult with local and state health authorities. Based on current guidance, ETHS is not closing or 'shutting down,'" Kinzie said. "Classes and activities remain in-person; a remote learning option is not available at ETHS."

Asymptomatic students are expected to continue attending in-person classes, Kinzie said. She asked staff to remind students to properly wear face masks over their nose and mouth and to call home or write a referral if they do not.

The cancelation of all "non-essential events, activities and meetings" and subsequent announcement of an "adaptive pause" came a day after ETHS basketball teams withdrew from plans to take part in Thursday's final game at New Trier High School's Gates Gymnasium ahead of its demolition.

Also Wednesday, the chair of the ETHS Fine Arts Department notified students and families that the theater program did not have enough healthy students to perform this weekend's shows, the Evanston RoundTable reported.

The news of the cancellation of non-instructional activities comes a day before Tom Vilsack, the U.S. secretary of agriculture, was scheduled to visit the campus. His visit has now been canceled.

Also on Thursday, Evanston Township High School was placed on lockdown after two guns were found at the school. Police said no shots were fired and no one has been hurt.

Related: 2 Guns Found, Lockdown At Evanston Township High School