MARS HILL, Maine — Schools in SAD 42 were closed to classes Wednesday after families were notified that a student had tested positive for COVID-19.
By Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent Elaine Boulier had shifted the schools to remote learning starting Thursday, Jan. 7, because a second person had tested positive. The tentative return date was set for Jan. 19.
“As a result of these two positive cases, other cases that are highly likely to be positive, the volume of community involvement, and the large number of direct contacts in both buildings, we will be returning to remote learning beginning [Thursday],” Boulier said in a letter sent to parents that was posted on the district’s website.
All after-school activities, including all sports, will be canceled until students can return to in-person learning, she said. Basketball games were slated to begin next week.
Boulier outlined how parents could get their students’ devices and other materials needed for remote learning, and how students could get free lunches delivered to them.
She also asked students and parents to keep in touch with the school nurse regarding any changes in health, possible COVID symptoms, test results and positive COVID-19 cases so that she can keep track of active and recovering cases, quarantine periods and test results.
These positive cases in SAD 42 come just days after SAD 20 in Fort Fairfield announced that its schools are closed for at least this week. Individuals within the district have quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure. SAD 20 plans on updating the district community on Friday.
