Orono Intermediate School moves from hybrid to distance learning for 14 days following positive COVID-19 cases

Orono Intermediate School officials have announced they are shifting to distance learning after four positive cases of COVID-19 were discovered in the learning community.

According to the school’s website, the shift from hybrid to distance learning will last for 14 days.

The school says individuals associated with the school have been instructed to stay home if they have either received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, are awaiting COVID-19 test results or have been identified as a close contact of an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

"Today, the district has made the very difficult decision to move students and staff at OIS from their current hybrid instructional model to a distance learning model for 14 days," the announcement stated, in part.

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They noted the decision was based on additional health data recently shared with the district, the number of staff members impacted by COVID-19 quarantine protocols and, therefore, the inability to maintain hybrid classrooms in third through fifth grades with the proper student-to-space ratios and social distancing.

"This decision was not made lightly. We are taking this action to protect the health and safety of our students, staff, and families with the goal of returning our students to campus under the hybrid model as soon as possible," the announcement went on to say.

The change will go into effect on Tuesday and go through Oct. 9.

For more information on the change and other frequently asked questions to the school, click here.