Schools monitoring post-holiday surge of COVID-19

Officials are hoping a period of remote learning to start the spring semester will keep the virus out of local schools.`

Across tippecanoe county.

But many students will attend their classes online instead of in person.

News 18's joe paul has been reporting on covid-19 outbreaks at local schools.

He joins us live to share how officials are monitoring a possible post-holiday surge.

Joe?

Students are harrison high school are not the only ones learning remotely to start the spring semester.

Schools across tippecanoe county are not open right now for in-person classes.

As officials keep an eye on covid-19 numbers following the holiday break.

< nat pop schools across tippecanoe county are back in session this week after a long holiday break.

But the familiar sounds... nat pop ...are noticeably absent.

"we are going back just virtual this week january 4th through the 8th."

Lafayette school corporation superintendent les huddle says the data is clear: cases of covid-19 and quarantines rise at local schools after breaks.

"after labor day, we had it again after fall break and we had it once again after thanksgiving holiday, so the data tells us to expect something after the christmas and new year's break here."

Students at tippecanoe school corporation are also learning remotely until january 19th.

Tsc superintendent scott hanback says he wants to avoid staffing shortages due to positive cases and close contacts.

"i think this two-week remote period is going to allow that, maybe, post-holiday, christmas and new year surge to kind of calm down a little bit."

West lafayette community school corporation will start the spring semester in-person.

West side superintendent rocky killion said in a statement the district's cases are fewer than surrounding schools.

Hanback says he's optimistic about the spring semester and the prospects of vaccination for his staff.

"that's going to be a positive for our schools and our staff will be sort of next in line, i guess, as far as the vaccine goes."

That means schools could finally return to normal.

But probably not in time for the end of the school year.

"and if anyone wants to look deeper into the crystal ball for next year, it's a wait and see."

Superintendents tell me they're in constant contact with each other and the tippecanoe county health department.

They say the decision to move to remote learning isn't easy and their number one priority right now is keeping schools open.

Reporting live in tippecanoe county, joe paul, news 18.

Antother 36-hundred hoosiers