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DeKalb County School District closes Oak View Elementary School due to COVID-19 cases

DeKalb County

DeKalb County School District closes Oak View Elementary School due to COVID-19 cases

DeKalb County School District Administration and Instructional Complex on Mtn. Industrial Blvd. in Stone Mountain. Photo by Dean Hesse
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This story has been updated. 

Stone Mountain, GA — DeKalb County School District has closed Oak View Elementary School, the district announced Thursday morning. The school has had 18 students test positive for COVID-19, which has impacted over 90 students and 13 staff members who have had to quarantine or isolate.

The grades impacted are pre-K, kindergarten, and first, second and fifth grades. No cases have been reported so far in third or fourth grades. Out of an abundance of caution, the district decided to close the school building effective Sept. 3 and will reopen on Sept. 13. Students will receive virtual instruction and teachers will work virtually next week.

On Friday, Sept. 3, students will participate in asynchronous learning. Staff will be available on Friday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. for students to pick up personal belongings, learning packets and technology devices. Breakfast and lunch will be made available to all students daily, according to a press release.

The school building will be cleaned and disinfected during the closure per the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 testing opportunities will be available at the school next week to provide support to families as the school reopens.

“The safety and well-being of our staff and students always remain a top priority in DCSD. The decision to close Oak View was based on multiple factors,” Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said. “The district is committed to providing our students and staff with a safe and healthy environment. We thank our families for their understanding and ongoing cooperation as we work to help protect our students, teachers, staff members and community.”

DeKalb County School District actively reviews the health data and guidance and consults with the state Department of Health and the medical advisory committee to inform decisions relating to the health and safety of students and staff.

No single condition or data point determines a local school’s operating status. Multiple factors are considered, including daily COVID-19 exposure and positive reports, staff and student absenteeism rates, ability to implement the mitigating strategies and ability to maintain appropriate staffing for essential functions, the press release states.

The district is asking students, teachers and staff to continue following the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and protocols to help reduce the spread of the virus. The district is also encouraging individuals to continue wearing masks, washing hands and practice social distancing. DeKalb County School District is additionally encouraging those who are eligible to get vaccinated.

The district is partnering with the DeKalb County Board of Health for DCSD’s vaccination and testing for staff, families and students at the Administrative Office Complex on Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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