The Haines Borough School District came through its first quarter without any reported cases of COVID-19. The school board voted to maintain safety protocols at its Thursday meeting. Superintendent Roy Getchell said that was because they’re successful.
“We’re really working hard to make a stand here. And that stand is for in person learning and for continuing what we’ve started,” he said.
“We appreciate the support of our community in helping us do that. And, you know, these are uncertain times, but we’re going to data time and I’m confident that we’re going to have a successful outcome.”
The board voted unanimously to maintain the out-of-state travel procedure requirements for testing and quarantine that shaped the district’s operating plans this year. Getchell says it’s been effective in Haines, even as the COVID-19 case count rises statewide.
The board also approved a school calendar adjustment in January. When students return to classes after the holidays, the first week will be “virtual” learning. Students will be in online classrooms from January 5th to 8th. They’ll be back on campus January 11th.
“The reason that that was done was to give us an opportunity to allow the quarantine and testing protocols that are required to come back to school to be in effect,” Getchell said.
He said that week will give the school and the community a buffer to make sure there is no community spread illness that enters the campus.
The school provided flu shots to 135 students, family members, and staff this week. Getchell says it was a strong turnout—especially after hundreds of residents already took part in the borough’s free flu shots last week.
