COVID-19 reported in local private school

One student tests positive

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Absences are up in Okarche as students report illnesses Tuesday, Jan. 11.

From Staff Reports

Two students in Okarche’s Holy Trinity Catholic School have tested positive for COVID-19, Principal Alice Newman reported.

The school has closed until after Thanksgiving.

The school learned of one of the student’s test results on Saturday, Nov. 7, Newman reports.
“As our country fights the spread of COVID-19, we believe one of our greatest responsibilities is to communicate transparently and often with you, our school community.

It is our hope that accurate and up-to-date correspondence will help you make well-informed decisions for your family. Nothing is more important to Holy Trinity than the safety and health of our students, our employees and their families. When we work together, we can provide the best care for all involved,” Newman stated in a letter to patrons.

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Staff members at the school have cleaned and disinfected the school building. The family impacted by the positive case has followed all school protocols, Newman reported. There have been three COVID-19 deaths reported in Okarche and six deaths total and 656 cases reported in Kingfisher County since March. In Canadian County, there have been 4,807 cases and 24 deaths. The school for preK-3 through eighth grades remained open this week. An employee of Okarche Public Schools tested positive for COCVID-19 on Thursday, Oct. 29, but no quarantines were required of students or other staff since school had been out that week due to the ice storm of Oct. 26.

On Friday, Nov. 13, Newman reported that the school will be closed until Nov. 30.

“HTCS has made the difficult decision to close school effective at 3 pm today.
School will resume after the Thanksgiving break on November 30,” Newman reports.
“Approximately 30% of students were present in school today. It has become evident that learning from home is a better option as Covid-19 cases continue to increase in the area and throughout the state. It is hoped that our students and parents can take this time to recover and return healthy after the two-week break. “
Newman said teachers have been preparing for this possibility, and they each have prepared one week of classwork for their students. This work should be considered essential, and will be a part of the nine-weeks and semester grades. No mandatory work will be assigned during the Thanksgiving break, which is from November 23-27.
Students will be provided daily lessons and help sessions through Class Dojo (elementary) or Google Classroom (middle school). Teachers will also provide enrichment activities and a suggested book list.
All extracurricular activities are cancelled until school resumes on November 30.