High school goes virtual for rest of the week
Due to an outbreak of COVID-19 cases educators at Utica High School have decided to revert to onlineonly instruction for the remainder of the week.
The high school had virtual instruction Wednesday and it will continue today. Students in Macomb County’s largest school district have Friday, April 2, off as the first day of spring break. UCS reported the school had 37 positive student cases.
Utica High School joins Eisenhower High School, which went remote only on March 23 after approximately 40 positive cases forced more than 400 students to be placed into quarantine. All other UCS schools will continue in-person instruction through today.
“This is an extremely difficult action for our school to take,” interim Superintendent Robert Monroe said Tuesday. “However, we continue to receive new information daily on multiple individuals with confirmed cases being in Utica High School. At this time, we have 37 positive student cases. We need to take this step now to pause in-person instruction to reduce any further spread in our community.”
UCS students will be on spring break the entire week of April 5. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 due to any exposure during the week of spring break, students will be on the remote platform for the entire week of April 12. Barring any other COVID-19 setbacks, all UCS students will return to inperson learning the week of April 19.
“Our ability to return to – and remain in – full day, in-person instruction depends on all of us,” Monroe told the UCS community in a March 30 letter. “It is critical that all of us take the necessary steps to mitigate the spread in our community. These include selfscreening and staying home if you do not feel well, the use of face coverings, distancing, regular handwashing, and the use of disinfectant.”
Monroe reminded the community that after April 5, all Michigan residents 16 years of age and older will have the opportunity to be vaccinated.