As COVID cases continue to surge in the state, some are concerned about schools being able to remain open.
In Acadiana, several parishes have announced closures and/or remote learning changes to combat increased cases on their campuses.
KATC has reached out to every school system in Acadiana and the Diocese of Lafayette for the details on schools moving to remote learning or closures due to surges.
We have also requested each parish's policy on what students should do if they test positive for the virus.
This story will be updated as closures or learning changes for students.
See each parish response below (Parishes not listed below have not yet responded to our request for information)
ACADIA PARISH
Superintendent Scott Richard says that at the current time, all schools are open for in-person learning.
"We appreciate everyone working cooperatively to mitigate the spread of the virus while we work diligently to maintain operations. We also appreciate all parents/guardians helping to keep any students that are experiencing any symptoms of the virus at home until they are feeling better."
If a child is not feeling well, Richard says parents or guardians should update the school with that information. Current procedures regarding COVID-19 can found in the attached memo on the Acadia School System site. https://www.acadia.k12.la.us/o/aps/page/covid-updates
IBERIA PARISH
The Iberia Parish School district is transitioning Westgate High School to remote learning from January 10 - January 13, 2022. In-person classes will resume on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 following a teacher professional development day on Friday, January 14 and Martin Luther King holiday on Monday, January 17.
Sugarland Elementary will be transitioning to remote learning from Tuesday, January 18 - Wednesday, January 19, 2022. In-person classes will resume on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
Superintendent Carey Laviolette says that the district will continue to utilize isolated movement to remote learning in order to keep students in the classroom as much as possible.
"In light of the spike in COVID cases, the Iberia Parish School District urges all K-12 students and employees to wear masks in school buildings and buses to help reduce the spread of the virus and the need for quarantining students and employees."
Students who have COVID symptoms should first stay home and get tested, Laviolette says. Parents should also contact the school to inform the principal, even before a positive result is identified. Iberia Parish is following the current CDC isolation and quarantine guidelines.
JEFF DAVIS PARISH
Superintendent Kirk Credeur says cases are trending upward but there are no school closures at this time.
LAFAYETTE PARISH
No schools have closed or moved to remote learning. LPSS says that for those looking for details on heading back to school, click here.
ST LANDRY PARISH
Several schools in the parish had either had to change to remote learning or are coming back to in-person learning after isolation.
Students at Opelousas High School and Biomed will pivot to remote learning Thursday, January 13, 2022. A number of students and staff members are quarantined or isolating due to COVID-19. In-person learning will resume Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Students at Opelousas Junior High School will pivot to remote learning Thursday, January 13, 2022. A number of students and staff members are quarantined or isolating due to COVID-19. In-person learning will resume Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Students at Arnaudville Middle School will pivot to remote learning Thursday, January 13, 2022. A number of students and staff members are quarantined or isolating due to COVID-19. In-person learning will resume Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Students at Central Middle School will pivot to remote learning Thursday, January 13, 2022. A number of students and staff members are quarantined or isolating due to COVID-19. In-person learning will resume Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Students at Leonville Elementary School will pivot to remote learning Wednesday, January 12, 2022, due to several staff members and students out on quarantine or isolating due to Covid 19. In-person learning will resume Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
St. Landry Charter School also pivoted to virtual learning Monday, January 10, Tuesday, January 11, and Wednesday, January 12, 2022. Read more here
ST MARTIN PARISH
In St. Martin Parish, Breaux Bridge High School is closed due to a spike in COVID cases.
BBHS was closed through Monday, January 10, and was extended through Tuesday, January 11. The eighth grade at Breaux Bridge Junior High was also quarantined through Tuesday, January 11, Superintended Allen Blanchard said. They will return on January 12 to in-person learning.
Breaux Bridge Elementary began virtual learning on Monday January 10 and will continue through January 12. They will return to in-person learning on January 13, 2022.
Blanchard told KATC they will review the number of positive cases of students and staff to determine whether a school will close or remain open.
"It all depends on the numbers," he says.
For students who are positive or quarantined due to exposure, Blanchard says they are following the current guidance from the LDH. Affected students should remain home for 5 days and can return on day 6 if they are symptom free. Masks are required to be worn from day 6 through day 10.
ST MARY PARISH
According to Superintendent Teresa Bagwell, at this time, no schools have reverted to remote learning in St. Mary Parish.
VERMILION PARISH
Vermilion Parish Schools say they will move Rene Rost Middle School to a remote learning model on Thursday and Friday. January 13 and 14th. The school will be sending out specific information to all students and parents. Students will return on Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Superintendent Tommy Byler says the school system is monitoring numbers closely each day.
"Most of our early reports were students out from contact during the holidays. We are beginning to see a rise in a few more cases causing quarantine numbers to go up."
Vermilion Parish has not closed any schools or moved to remote learning.
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