Gomez School Reverts to Virtual Learning After Covid Exposure; Ulla F. Muller Kitchen Closed Due to Covid Exposure; Joseph Gomez, Bowsky Elementary Kitchens Closed Due Refrigeration Issues
The V.I. Department of Education late Wednesday announced several incidents affecting public schools in St. Thomas, leading one facility to revert to virtually learning temporarily while impacting meal distribution at several sites.
2021-09-16 12:47:28 - VI News Staff
Joseph Gomez Elementary K-3rd Grade Students, Teachers To Undergo Covid-19 Testing Sept. 16
Kindergarten through third grade students and teachers at Joseph Gomez Elementary School attending in-person classes will undergo Covid-19 testing by the Virgin Islands Department of Health on Thurs., Sept. 16. The pop-up testing is the result of Covid-19 exposure on the campus on Sept. 14, D.O.E. said.
Faculty and staff have been informed to report to the school’s front entrance for testing from 10-10:45 a.m. on Sept. 16; students should report immediately following. Covid-19 testing is free.
All classes are canceled for K-3rd grade students and teachers on Sept. 16; students in grades 4-6 will continue to learn virtually. Gomez Elementary School will conduct all classes virtually on Fri., Sept. 17.
The affected areas of the campus will be thoroughly sanitized by a contracted vendor using CDC-approved products before the campus reopens.
The department reminded employees that if they are sick, they must remain at home and seek guidance from the Virgin Islands Department of Health or a private healthcare provider. If anyone within a household has tested positive for Covid-19 or has Covid-19-related symptoms, children in that household should not attend in-person classes. All members of the household must remain in quarantine until negative Covid-19 test results are received or all members have been cleared by the Department of Health.
To knowingly expose others to Covid-19 is punishable by fines and imprisonment, D.O.E. said.
For more information about symptoms and what to do if exposed to COVID-19, visit www.cdc.gov.
Ulla F. Muller Elementary Kitchen Closed Sept. 16, 17 Due to Covid-19 Exposure
The Ulla F. Muller Elementary School kitchen will be closed Sept., 16 and 17 due to Covid-19 exposure. In-person classes are not affected and will continue to operate safely, Education said.
Students attending in-person classes will receive breakfast and lunch provided from nearby schools.
As a result of the closure of the kitchen, various meal distribution sites will temporarily close, including Bordeaux, Michael Kirwin Terrace, Contant Knolls, Savan Basketball Court, and Uller Muller School (parking lot), D.O.E. said. Parents of students living in these neighborhoods who attend school virtually are asked to pick up meals at other distribution sites. Visit www.vide.vi for a complete list of sites.
The kitchen will be thoroughly sanitized by a contracted vendor using CDC-approved products before reopening, according to the release.