BOOTHBAY HARBOR, Maine — Boothbay Region Elementary School will move to remote learning this week after seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases. According to a letter from Superintendent Robert Kahler posted on the AOS 98 website, BRES will move completely remote the week of Dec. 20 through Dec. 22 before the holiday break.
Kahler wrote in the letter that the switch to remote learning is out of an abundance of caution "due to an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 at the Elementary School since Friday and the number of students that have to quarantine."
"I want to recognize and thank our staff, some of whom have been contact tracing all weekend and we still have some more to do Monday. I also want to thank parents and students for their continued cooperation. I know that it is challenge to make changes to normal routines and arrange for your children to be at home during remote learning," Kahler wrote.
Kahler said in the letter that Boothbay Region Elementary School Principal Shawna Kurr would contact families with more specific information on how to collect work or other needed items for students.
According to the letter, the closure will not impact Boothbay Region High School and they will continue in-person learning on Monday. Kahler wrote, "They have not seen the same increase and due to the large number of students fully vaccinated allowing them to continue to attend in person learning safely."
According to the letter, the district is in the process of implementing voluntary pooled testing for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status. Kahler also stressed the importance of at-home symptom checks.