Dear STJ Families,

This afternoon we received notice that multiple individuals within Lucy Wortham James Elementary School tested positive with COVID-19, symptomatic awaiting diagnosis, or quarantined. Due to the increasing number of elementary educational staff outages and a lack of substitute coverage, we are no longer able to adequately provide essential educational services for our elementary students. 

Out of an abundance of caution and the historically rapid spread of COVID-19, we will be transitioning to distance learning for all Lucy Wortham James Elementary PK-5 students during the week after Thanksgiving (November 30 – December 4). This advanced notice will give our educational staff and parents time to prepare and communicate plans for the temporary closure. Elementary students will return to school next Monday (11/23) and Tuesday (11/24) prior to Thanksgiving Break. Returning next Monday and Tuesday gives parents ample time to make plans to accommodate a temporary elementary school closure. This is a temporary building closure. Plans are to return to the seated format on Monday, December 7.

This temporary closure does not impact Middle School or High School students. The Middle School and High School will be in the Hybrid Learning Plan the week of November 30 – December 4. The Middle and High School will be returning, along with the elementary, to the seated format on Monday, December 7 (see below table). * These plans are subject to change if area COVID-19 numbers continue to increase at the present rate.  

St. James R-1 School District Building Schedule through December 7th
	Elementary	Middle	High School
Monday, 11/23	Seated In Session	Seated In Session	Hybrid
Tuesday, 11/24	Seated In Session	Seated In Session	Hybrid
Wednesday, 11/25	Holiday Break	Holiday Break	Holiday Break
Thursday, 11/26	Holiday Break	Holiday Break	Holiday Break
Friday, 11/27	Holiday Break	Holiday Break	Holiday Break
Monday, 11/30	Distance Learning	Hybrid	Hybrid
Tuesday, 12/1	Distance Learning	Hybrid	Hybrid
Wednesday, 12/2	Distance Learning	Hybrid	Hybrid
Thursday, 12/3	Distance Learning	Hybrid	Hybrid
Friday, 12/4	Distance Learning	Hybrid	Hybrid
Monday, 12/7Return	Seated In Session *	Seated In Session *	Seated In Session *

Please know we are taking this situation very seriously and will continue to communicate with the Phelps-Maries County Department of Health about county and community COVID-19 numbers.  During the Lucy Worth James Elementary School virtual/AMI week of November 30 – December 4, our teachers have prepared virtual learning platforms through Google Classroom. We will provide iPads to students whose parents permit them to take home an iPad in order to continue learning through the virtual format. 

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support during these challenging times. As always, the health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. Please stay healthy and safe. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Johnson