2 More Concord Schools Move To Remote Learning Due To Coronavirus

CONCORD, NH — The Concord School District is moving two more schools from the hybrid learning model to nearly fully remote after community transmission of the coronavirus led to extensive educator and student quarantines and absenteeism.

Interim School Superintendent Kathleen Murphy informed SAU 8 parents Friday that students at Beaver Meadow Elementary School and the Mill Brook Primary School will move to remote learning Monday. Remote learning will remain in place until the Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Day holiday.

"This decision was based on available staff as well as the number of students who are home and in quarantine," Murphy said.

Murphy said the district learned of a positive case connected to the first grade, Cohort B, at Mill Brook on Friday but that student had not been in class for a week — five days longer than the 48-hour contagion period. Staffers at the school had also been in contact with the state health department.

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Instruction for students will be delivered using the same model used earlier this school year, including four days of "synchronous teaching" per week, she said. Monday will be the flex day for the school where students and parents can get their learning materials for students, Murphy said.

Broken Ground and Christa McAuliffe elementary schools will remain in the hybrid learning model — with Murphy, administrators, and educators continuing to monitor the "operational aspects" of both schools. Abbot-Downing Elementary School, Concord High School, and Rundlett Middle School are all in remote learning for most students.

"Absenteeism has gone up," Murphy said, with "youngsters staying home and (SAU 8) seeing an uptick of absent students district-wide."

Normally, absenteeism is around 5 to 6 percent; right now, it is "probably closer to 10 percent," she said.

Exceptions were being made for "some of the more vulnerable learners" at the two schools including special education students and English language learners who will "still be brought into schools, where needed and available," although it will be "very limited." Transportation for those students and food distribution will still be available.

Murphy said the community transmission — not infections inside schools, were continuing to cause problems with staffing, and students and families being forced to stay home, including all of the schools that have moved to remote learning. In January, the district will examine community spread, staffing, as well as the health of students, before deciding to return to hybrid learning models.

Murphy recommended the following safety measures to keep families safe during the pandemic:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid close contact with others. When outside your home, keep a distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and others. This is known as social distancing.

• Wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose to protect others when in public areas.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home if you have a fever or are not feeling well.

Children may worry about themselves, their family and friends getting sick with with coronavirus. These tips can be used to talk to children about COVID-19 here.

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