MENOMONEE FALLS — With Thanksgiving behind us, some Wisconsin schools are moving to an all-virtual model as an effort to lessen the risk of a COVID-19 surge.
Some plan for the change to last through the new year while others opt for something shorter.
"Just an opportunity to kind of take a pause get people some distance and get healthy," said Superintendent Corey Golla with the School District of Menomonee Falls.
After months either in person or in a hybrid learning model students at the school district move to all virtual learning this week.
Superintendent Golla said the decision was made partly because they are trying to avoid the post-Halloween spike from students and families gathering that made November challenging.
"We were carrying quite a few positive cases with our employees and the student body. Our students, we were carrying about 9 percent in quarantine prior to the break and already we're down to about 4 to 5 percent," said Golla.
On Monday, the district's dashboard showed 10 active cases among students with 132 in quarantine or isolation. For staff, the data showed there are 4 active cases and 12 in quarantine or isolation.
Menomonee Falls plans to return to in-person and hybrid learning next week.
Kenosha Unified School District is also moving to all virtual instruction, but they will stay in that model until Jan. 8.
The KUSD School Board approved the move about two weeks ago in the face of surging coronavirus cases, a grievance filed by the local teachers union, and a recommendation from the county health officer.
Meanwhile, school leaders urge students and families to stay the course because what they do outside of school has real impacts.
"My message to families is very clear wear the mask, keep the distance, avoid those large crowds and you’re going to keep our communities healthy. You’re going to prevent the hospitals from filling up and we'll keep the schools open," said Golla.
Monday was a workday in Menomonee Falls so virtual learning begins Tuesday. Athletics and activities are not affected and continue as scheduled this week.