District moving to all-virtual learning

Oxford Community Schools officials are shifting to all-virtual learning as coronavirus cases rise in the district and area. The district announced the decision in a letter from Superintendent Tim Throne on Friday, Nov. 13.

“Friday (Nov. 13) caused us to pivot quickly because of an alarming increase in presumptive COVID-19 cases throughout the day, along with the large number of staff and students that this caused to quarantine,” the district said in a Facebook post Saturday.

Secondary students began remote learning Monday, Nov. 16. Elementary families who needed a device to learn remotely had an opportunity to pick one up on Monday; details were sent to families via email over the weekend. Elementary students began remote learning on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Oxford joins most other Oakland County districts that have moved to all-virtual learning over the past several weeks. Only a few are still offering face-toface classes.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Sunday, Nov. 15, that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued a directive requiring high schools statewide to move to remote learning by Wednesday.

Oxford was one of the few area districts that began the 2020-21 academic year with students in faceto-face classes full time.

“We are beyond thankful to have made it a full twelve weeks of in-person learning with our incredible Wildcat staff and students!” the Facebook post said.

The district currently has more than 20 active coronavirus cases, Superintendent Tim Throne said in the letter, posted on the district’s website.

“While that number is not incredibly high, given our overall population, it is growing at an alarming rate,” he said.

Throne said the district’s safety protocols were effective and enabled Oxford to continue offering in-person learning.

“What we are seeing is rapid community spread over which we have little control,” he said.

He advised district families to continue to watch for updates from school principals.