TROUTDALE, Ore. — Reynolds High School students are going back to distance learning all next week because of the number of students already in quarantine due to possible COVID-19 exposure.
According to a COVID dashboard on the Reynold School District's website, four students and staff members at the high school tested positive. 875 students and staff members are quarantining.
"While the number of students or staff who have tested positive are small, these cases have required large numbers of students to quarantine due to possible exposure in the last few days," the school said on its website. "As more students are required to quarantine and learn from home while other students are learning in the classroom, teachers are unable to provide education in both in-person and virtual environments at the same time."
There will be no school on Thursday or Friday of this week. The school's plan is to teach students remotely from Monday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 24.
All students are expected to go back to in-person learning the following week, on Sept. 27.
School leaders will also be implementing other changes to minimize the risk of exposure in the future.
Under the changes, spectators will no longer be allowed at school sporting events. Only players, coaches, and support staff may attend until further notice, the school said.
Seating charts will be implemented in classrooms and on school buses.
Last but not least, families will be asked to voluntarily report students vaccination status to the school.
"If we have confirmed fully vaccinated status for a student, they may not be required to quarantine in the event of a future exposure," the school's website says.
