School officials report on first weeks of classes

School officials reported the opening two weeks of classes went smoothly with both students and staff members in all schools responding well to temperature checks. Extra staff hired continues to assist with cleaning daily.

An automated call received at the Lewis County Herald last week indicated a Lewis County Schools’ student had tested positive for COVID-19.

Protocol for students and faculty exposed to the virus involves a quarantine for either 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms or 48 hours from the test date. Students sent home become virtual students during quarantine.

Students, determined to have been in close contact with any student testing positive, are notified individually and also placed in quarantine, Coordinated School Health Supervisor Sasha Powers explained Tuesday.

Test results can take three to four days, and the schools are dependent on parents to report positive test results.

Students are temperature checked daily as they arrive. Schools cannot mandate the wearing of masks. “Masking is up to students and parents,” Mrs. Powers continued.

Classrooms are self-contained in lower grades. At the middle school, students switch classes together as much as possible. At the high school, break time has been cut short to minimize social time. Social distancing is promoted as much as space allows.

Lewis County Schools have been assigned a liaison by the state of Tennessee Health Department who provides daily updates.

“Everyday we try to improve on what we learned from the day before,” Mrs. Powers said.