WACO, TX — The Lake Air Montessori Magnet School campus will transition to fully remote instruction tomorrow through at least next Wednesday after an increase in COVID-19 cases.
“Starting tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 5), all of our students will be learning remotely. Lake Air Montessori will be closed for in-person instruction through next Wednesday and will reopen for in-person instruction on Nov. 12," Stephanie Tankersley, principal of Lake Air Montessori Magnet School said in a letter.
“Today, we learned that two more people, who have been on campus at Lake Air, tested positive for COVID-19. We have already notified the families of any students and any employees who were in close contact with one or both people, and those students and employees have been told to stay home for 14 days from their last contact with someone who tested positive."
Tankersley says several other people have also reported symptoms that could be a sign of COVID-19 and are awaiting test results.
Twenty employees and nearly 100 in-person students were out today following close contact with someone who tested positive, waiting for test results, or for other reasons.
"While most of our teachers who are out are able to teach remotely, the total number of employees out presents a challenge for appropriately supervising students without bringing large groups of students together in the same space. That is the main reason that we have decided to transition to fully remote instruction starting tomorrow," the announcement said.
All of the schools in-person students have an iPad or a laptop that they will take home with them today. Before leaving today, any students without internet access at home will also be able to check out a mobile hotspot. If you need technical assistance with your student’s device or a mobile hotspot, you can reach our student help desk between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 254-284-1072.
The school is continuing to work closely with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. All areas of the campus will be deep cleaned and sanitized using hospital-grade disinfectants before the campus reopens for in-person instruction.
“We will also have rapid tests available to screen in-person students and employees at Lake Air Montessori for COVID-19 before the campus reopens next week. While participating in the rapid testing program is voluntary, I would encourage you to take advantage of this free opportunity for your student to be tested. We’ll follow up with more details on this later this week."
