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Connally Primary moves to online learning starting Oct. 1 after COVID-19 cases on campus

Posted at 6:08 PM, Sep 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-30 22:39:59-04

ELM MOTT, TX — Connally Primary School will move to online learning starting October 1 as a result of COVID-19 cases on campus.

Connally ISD made the decision to close the Connally Primary School for a minimum of 14 calendar days as a result of two confirmed COVID-19 cases within the past seven days, with others reporting symptoms, according to a letter sent to parents.

Last week, the campus sent 140 students and staff members home for quarantine as they were identified as being in close contact with a confirmed positive case on campus.

"This decision was made in line with our established COVID-19 protocols," the letter said. "Today we received notification of a second confirmed case along with additional students/staff reporting the onset of symptoms."

Upon investigating the confirmed positive cases on campus and contact tracing, it was found that both cases were in close contact with confirmed COVID positive cases outside of the school day.

"However, this fact does not reduce the spread of the virus to the Primary campus," the letter states. "Therefore, out of extreme caution, the difficult decision to move the entire campus to remote learning was made."

Last week, parents were notified that a student, staff member or visitor who was lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 was present on the Connally Primary campus on September 23.

A person with COVID-19 was also present on the campus September 25, according to Connally Primary's Facebook.

In those letters, Connally Primary said they would work closely with the Waco McLennan County Health District to determine if any staff or students were considered close contacts.

The school said all areas on campus that were exposed to the infected individual would be closed off to students and staff until cleaned.

All students are able to pick up a free breakfast in front of the Primary campus between the hours of 7:30 to 8:30 each morning, and lunch can be picked up between 11:00 and 12:00 Monday through Friday.

Students will be able to access their coursework online in the SeeSaw application, according to Connally Primary.

If you are in need of a device for your student so they can access SeeSaw, please contact the campus at 254-296-6700.

Connally Primary serves 1st-3rd grade students in Lacy Lakeview, Elm Mott, & Chalk Bluff.

This story is developing.