COVID-19 sends students home: Talawanda cancels school the rest of the week, others go virtual

Eleven local school districts remain closed or in remote learning Thursday as schools continue to struggle with staffing crises.

More: 'I fear that they'll regress.' Remote learning a challenge for kindergarten teacher, class

Ohio schools: 15% increase in masking, 8% drop in in-person learning due to COVID-19

Half of the region's 63 school districts were closed or remote on Friday before the holiday weekend. Though many districts returned to in-person learning on Tuesday, some have closed individual school buildings since the long weekend.

Fairfield City Schools was closed Tuesday due to staff absences and "a critical shortage of substitute teachers." After students returned Wednesday, the district announced Central Elementary, Compass Elementary and Creekside Middle schools would go back to virtual for the rest of the week.

"This decision is a result of staff absences impacting the school day," Superintendent Billy Smith wrote in a message to district families. "Upon return to school, we strongly recommend that all students and staff wear a mask while at school, especially for the duration of this surge."

Talawanda School District announced Wednesday that it would use calamity days for the rest of the week and students will not be in remote learning. The district has encouraged parents to have a "Plan B" throughout the pandemic in case of school closures that would lead to childcare issues.

"The extreme substitute shortage that the district is experiencing across all schools and departments is creating many challenges to school service to students and daily operations.The shortages in combination with seasonal illnesses and COVID-19 cases/quarantines has forced the district to shut down our schools for the next few days," a district message to families reads. 

"Now is the time to implement your family's PLAN B."

The region's largest school system, Cincinnati Public Schools, remains remote through the end of the week. District leaders say they plan to have students return to in-person learning on Monday. The district was adamant that the switch to remote was due to staff shortages, and not in-school spread of the virus.

More: Virtual learning at Cincinnati Public Schools means smaller crowds at sports events, performances

Covington Independent Public Schools in Northern Kentucky initially planned to resume in-person learning this week, but Superintendent Alvin Garrison announced extended remote days.

“It is our hope that we continue taking all precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which would allow our students and staff to return to a safe and healthy school environment,’’ Garrison wrote to district families.

Statewide, districts are trending towards more restrictive mask policies and virtual learning. Since before winter break, 44 additional Ohio districts made universal masking policies and another 47 strayed from five-day in-person learning, according to data from the Ohio Department of Education.

One of the most recent local districts to implement a universal masking policy is Grant County Schools in Northern Kentucky. Schools with universal mask requirements no longer need to complete contact tracing of their students, officials said.

"Board members felt time contact tracing takes away from building leadership could be more beneficial in other places, like leading their school," a district announcement reads.

The board will reevaluate the decision on Feb. 10.

The following school districts in Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell, Kenton and Grant counties in Kentucky have announced closures or remote learning as of Tuesday. Some of these closures or remote days are due to weather. Also provided is information on extra curricular activities and where students can get meals.

NOTE: This list will be updated.

Ohio districts

• Cincinnati Public Schools will remain virtual through Friday, according to the district's website. Students will return to in-person learning on Jan. 24. All arts and athletic activities will remain ongoing, but with spectator limitations. All other club activities will be suspended during virtual learning. Students and families may visit their schools between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday to receive four-day meal packs.
• Fairfield City School District is moving Central Elementary, Compass Elementary and Creekside Middle schools to remote learning through Friday, according to the district's website. Extra curricular activities will continue as scheduled unless otherwise communicated by coaches and advisors. Students will return to in-person learning on Monday. 
• Hamilton City School District is remote through Friday, according to the district's website. All extra curricular activities are suspended through Sunday. All in-person classes and activities will resume on Jan. 24. Lunch services are available to all students at the district's eight elementary schools from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
• Lebanon City Schools high schoolers only will remain remote through Friday, according to the district's website. Students may pick up food at the high school between 11 a.m. and noon on Tuesday. Athletics will continue as scheduled with masks. The district is also implementing a universal mask policy through the end of the month.
• Little Miami Schools high school students only are virtual through Thursday. All extra curricular activities will continue as scheduled.
• Mount Healthy City Schools will remain virtual through Friday, according to the district's website. Students will return to in-person learning on Jan. 24. Food service distribution will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at district campuses. 
• North College Hill City School District will remain remote for middle and high school students only through Friday, according to the district's website. The elementary school will remain in-person. 
• Talawanda School District will be closed through Friday, according to the district's website. Students will return on Monday.
• Winton Woods City Schools will remain virtual through Friday, according to the district's website. Students will return to in-person learning on Jan. 24. All athletic competitions will be held without fan attendance during that time.

Kentucky districts

• Bellevue Independent Schools will remain virtual through Friday, according to the district's website. Students will return to in-person learning on Jan. 24. Free breakfast and lunches will be provided for all students at pickup locations to be announced.
• Covington Independent Public Schools will remain remote through Friday, according to the district's website. Students will return to in-person learning on Jan. 24. Meals will be available for pickup Tuesday through Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.