In the three weeks since the start of face-to-face classes in the Perry Community School District (PCSD), two students have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
A Perry Elementary School student tested positive last week, the second case of infection identified since classes started Aug. 19, and a Perry High School teacher was quarantined after being exposed to an infected person, according to a message sent last week to all staff members by PCSD Superintendent Clark Wicks.
“We have one high school teacher who will quarantine because this person was exposed to a positive case,” Wicks said in his Sept. 4 email. “This teacher had negative test results. No students were affected. One elementary student tested positive, but the parents knew enough to keep this student home. No students were exposed. This student and a sibling will quarantine.”
Perry Elementary School Principal Ned Menke said the positive cases are taken in stride as they occur, and the pivot from in-person to online learning in made as smoothly as possible.
“We knew this would happen and were prepared for it,” Menke said.
Wicks also updated staff members on the district’s success with other virus-mitigation methods.
“The spacing in the room is working well,” Wicks said. “The ionization bar installation is close to being completed by the end of today. I can feel all those viruses and bacteria getting disabled as I write this note.”
The PCSD spent $135,000 to install the needlepoint bi-polar ionization devices on the HVAC systems at all three Perry schoolhouses. The air purification and filtration system is manufactured by a North Carolina company.
“We feel that if the air is pure, we have a fighting chance to help reduce the probability for any kind of COVID-19,” Wicks said at a July 17 meeting.
Wicks’ email message also updated staff members on the district’s progress in preparing and delivering online instruction.
“These kids are in good hands,” he said, “and I hope they realize how fortunate they are to have this type of instruction. I realize the online delivery is not comparable to on-site, but it does keep the students learning.”
