Two area school districts grapple with COVID-19

Two area school districts are responding to COVID infections within their school communities.

Le Sueur-Henderson Public Schools will change its learning delivery method after reporting a “small number” of COVID-19 cases within the district. The school’s website, updated Sunday, says Kindergarten through 5th Grade will utilize a hybrid model, while 6th through 12th grades will switch to full distance learning.

The district said the decision was made due to a large number of close contacts with those infected, as well as the inability to maintain staffing levels needed for the middle and high school students.

Students in 6th through 12th Grades will not have school Monday or Tuesday to give staff time to prepare for distance learning.

At Windom Area Schools, district officials announced Sunday that two cases of COVID-19 had been lab-confirmed in the middle school community.

The discovery prompted the postponement of the homecoming coronation, which was scheduled to begin Monday afternoon. Varsity and B-squad volleyball games through Nov 3 were also postponed, as was the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony.

The school also sent a letter to families requesting that parents watch closely for COVID-19 symptoms, which include fever, cough, and a loss of taste or smell. The letter reminded families that if someone in the household is showing symptoms, or is being tested for COVID, students should not attend school.