As was announced as its intention last week, Madison Metropolitan School District will fully resume in-person instrucion on Monday, January 10.
In a message to families Thursday, Superintendent Dr. Carlton Jenkins said the decision was made after a special Board of Education meeting last night in which administrators heard from families, staff and medical advisers.
The district was scheduled to resume in-person classes January 3 after the normal winter break, but Jenkins announced last Thursday that the break would be extended by three days and virtual instruction would take place beginning today due to staffing shortages and other challenges amid the omicron-variant surge of COVID-19 cases.
“Although we always prefer our scholars to be connecting in person with out teachers and staff while learning in classrooms, this necessary pause strengthened our ability to sustain remaining open safely,” Jenkins wrote today.
He said district staff have spent the week meeting with the medical advisory team, planning and hosting vaccine and booster clinics, refining contact tracing plans and refining social-emotional learning lessons for families who request additional support.
Jenkins urged parents to have their students tested for COVID-19 before returning to school Monday. For students exhibiting symptoms or who have been in close contact with someone who’s tested positive, the disctrict is offering free testing at several sites throughout the weekend.
