Following calls to KATC about an increase in COVID-19 cases in schools in St. Martin Parish, we reached out to Superintendent Allen Blanchard for an update on active cases and any closures of schools in the parish.
While Blanchard could not provide specific details to cases he did inform us that Cecilia Junior High School is on a full virtual schedule now due to the number of staff who have had to quarantine. They are expected to return to on campus instruction on Monday, November 16, 2020.
"We have also had to quarantine some students around the parish. The number of students out is still relatively low," Blanchard said of cases around the parish. Most of the quarantines, he says, are staff who are out but are not positive.
"[They] meet the definition of a close contact and we were forced to quarantine them," Blanchard explained.
As for the increase in notifications of cases and COVID-19 updates, Blanchard says that the school system is trying to be open and honest with parents. "When we have a positive case or when we have to quarantine someone we always notify parents with a JCALL. It frustrates some parents to receive these JCALLs but we are trying to be transparent."
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