COVID cases shut down high school

The doors to Coal City High School will be closed for the next two weeks.
Upon notification of four COVID-19 positive high school students, the district—at the recommendation of the Grundy County Health Department—announced the school would be closed through Sept. 29.
“Although our school year has gotten off to a tremendous start, we hit an issue today that will result in some temporary changes for the students of Coal City High School,” Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg stated in a letter issued Tuesday evening to district families.
“Although we have experienced a few positive COVID cases since the start of school, all of these incidents have been isolated and have not originate or been transmitted in our schools,” he continued.
That changed late Tuesday afternoon as district officials learned two of the positive cases could possibly be connected as a result of close contact to one another within the high school. As it does with each case that arises, the district consulted with the county health department and, following Illinois Department of Public Health [IDPH] guidelines, it recommended the building be closed for 14 days beginning immediately.
High School students will transition to full remote learning while the building is closed. A state permitted remote learning planning day is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 and students will resume coursework on Thursday. High school faculty will also be working remotely through the closure.
Bugg notes students will be contacted regarding a time to pickup items from their lockers.
The closure only impacts the high school, all other district schools remain open for in-person instruction and their activities continue.
During the temporary closure, all extra-curricular events involving the high school including practices, competitions and programs are canceled.
In-person instruction and extra-curricular programming at the high school will resume Wednesday, Sept. 30.
“The latest situation at the high school is just another reminder of how this pandemic can still impact our school district,” Bugg said.