In an email sent out to parents, faculty and staff of Portage Public Schools (PPS), Superintendent Mark Bielang announced that Twelfth Street Elementary will be shifting to fully remote learning until Tuesday, Nov. 17, due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
Over the past week, PPS received notice of three positive COVID-19 cases at Twelfth Street Elementary.
Due to potential exposure from these cases, over 47 students and seven staff members will need to quarantine.
All contact tracing has been handled confidentially by the Kalamazoo County Health Department.
Because of this outbreak, the elementary will be moving to fully virtual learning, starting on Thursday, Nov. 5, through the 17th.
"While we have successfully put a number of safety practices in place, we feel this move is needed to reduce the possibility of further spread," Bielang said in the email. "Under the circumstances, remote learning is the best way to protect our students and staff. We are sending this information to you so you are aware of what is happening. Based on the best information we have there is little to no risk to staff outside of Twelfth Street Elementary."