Valley City (VCPS) On Monday, December 12. Valley City Public Schools will be initiating a K-12 Virtual Learning Day due to unprecedented levels of student illness in our school district.

Superintendent Josh Johnson said as of Friday afternoon, 22% of students at Jefferson Elementary and 20% at Washington Elementary are out of school because of illness. Unfortunately, this number has been growing throughout the day. It is being reported to us that students are experiencing cold and flu symptoms such as fever and vomiting and diagnoses including influenza A and RSV. We have been and will continue to be in communication with our partners at Essentia Health and City-County Health. Please make sure that you continue to follow their recommendations to help decrease the transmission of these viruses.

Johnson said all students will be informed of the virtual learning plans for Monday, December 12th and will be instructed to leave school with all of their necessary learning supplies. For your reference, our virtual learning plans were emailed to you.

He said we will continue to allow for 7-12 activities to occur on Monday as scheduled knowing that the majority of the current student illnesses are related to the elementary schools. We believe it is in the best interests of our students and families to keep our k-12 school schedules consistent; therefore, we are using the virtual learning day in all grades despite 7-12 having only 10% of students out of school because of these illnesses.

Johnson said a decision regarding school next Tuesday and Wednesday will be communicated with students, staff, and parents on Monday, December 12, 2022. We hope this decision to use a virtual learning day will allow this nasty “bug” to run its course and get us all back in good health in advance of the Christmas break.

Josh Johnson

Superintendent

Valley City Public Schools

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