TECUMSEH, Mich. — Another school in the Tecumseh school district is set to close due to COVID-19.
This time, Tecumseh High School will close and switch to fully remote learning with over 100 anticipated to quarantine after a positive case of COVID-19 was reported.
"We have over 600 kids in the face-to-face environment in the high schools so it's a big deal. it's a lot of people to send home," Tecumseh School District Superintendent Rick Hilderley said.
In an email sent to families Thursday providing further instructions, Tecumseh Public Schools said they had worked with the Lenawee Health Department to utilize contact tracing following the positive case. The health department also anticipates at least two more positive tests soon.
Contact tracing determined over 100 individuals, including “several” teachers, are expected to require quarantine for two weeks to monitor symptoms.
"That group of new individuals included three more staff members, which would make four at the high school. And, we have two more cases that are pending results," Hilderley said.
The tentative return to building date is Tuesday, Oct. 13.
All students will begin their normal distance learning format on Monday, Oct. 5.
Decisions regarding athletic teams will be communicated to students by their head coaches.
All other Tecumseh Public Schools buildings and busing will continue as normal, with the exception of Tecumseh West, which remains closed until Oct. 6 after a positive case was reported on Sept. 25. That case required over 50 to quarantine.
Families of students who will require quarantine have been contacted by the district, with more details to follow through the district alert system as they become available.
The superintendent says the administration is doing what they can on their side to keep schools open and everyone healthy, but hopes families take it seriously.
"The wild card for us is how seriously are our families going to take this. It looks and appears as though most are taking this as seriously as we want them to," Hilderley said.
According to the district and Lenawee Health Department requirements, those who have tested positive for the virus have to take another test before returning to school and it has to be negative.
Those who were in close contact are not required to test after their quarantine before returning to school.
As of noon on Friday, the Lenawee Health Department's COVID-19 dashboard reported 815 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 47 more probable cases in the county.
The full email sent to Tecumseh Public Schools families reads:
Tecumseh Families,
TPS has been informed of one more positive COVID-19 case. In addition, we have been informed by the Health Department to expect at least two more positive tests, soon. When contact tracing the confirmed positive case AND the potential cases advised of by the Health Department, more than a hundred individuals at THS will be or potentially could be sent to quarantine, including several teachers. Therefore, we believe it is best for all concerned to close Tecumseh High School at this time. The tentative return date as of now is Tuesday, October 13.
On Monday, October 5, ALL THS students will be placed in the Distance Learning format on the normal schedule. Tomorrow, all THS students who are NOT in quarantine will be allowed into the building after 10am to retrieve any needed items. Teachers will be available by email during the day Friday to answer questions.
Decisions about athletic teams will be made in the morning and will be communicated through program head coaches.
All other TPS buildings will run as they have been. Busses will continue to be in service.
Again, we are making this decision with the belief that it is the safest approach for all staff and students.
Thank you