Sept. 1 marked the first day of virtual school for grades K through 12 in the Mequon Thiensville School District (MTSD). Due to a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases in the Mequon and Thiensville zip codes, students will have the ability to return to school on Sept. 8 for on campus learning.

The district has been receiving data and advice from the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department. As of Aug. 30, which marked 14 consecutive days of declining cases, Mequon and Thiensville areas sat below the critical threshold of coronavirus cases. In an email sent out to parents on Aug. 31. Superintendent Dr. Matt Joynt announced that MTSD now fell into scenario C.

According to the Responsible Return Plan Version 2, scenario C calls for “maximizing physical distance in the instructional setting, this scenario includes the implementation of additional unique scheduling and mitigation procedures to ensure students only interact with a central cohort of peers and a limited number of staff members on a daily basis. To accomplish this, all student desks/learning spaces will maintain at least 5 feet of separation and students will remain in the same one or two classrooms the majority of the day. Students will participate in activities that allow for limited movement during class periods and, weather permitting, K-8th grade students will be provided outdoor recess on multiple occasions throughout the day.”

“At the recommendation of local public health officials the burden of community spread of COVID-19 is a key indicator for determining when school districts can return to providing the option of on campus instruction safely,” Dr. Joynt said in a video released to parents. “Sunday, Aug. 30 marked the fourteenth consecutive day with a community spread of COVID-19 in Mequon and Thiensville zip codes below the critical threshold,” Joynt said.

As of Sept. 8 those who chose to send their children to school for on campus instruction can do so. With data being reevaluated every two weeks, shifts between scenarios A,B,C or D are possible, and changes in instruction fluctuate with the burden of community spread. Distance learning is also available for students who decide to not return to school in person.