In order to provide you with accurate and reliable information, we want to let all families and staff know that Vaughan Elementary and Warren County High School have been moved to remote learning for students because of staffing shortages. This change only affects students and staff at Vaughan Elementary and Warren County High School.
This will not affect athletics and other extracurricular activities, which will continue as scheduled.
In person classes will resume at Vaughan Elementary next Wednesday, September 8. Students will return in person at Warren County High School next Thursday, September 9.
While in remote learning, staff will still report to work in person.
We will continue to monitor staffing levels, quarantines, and COVID-19 isolations at all of our schools and are prepared to make adjustments, as needed, to ensure a safe environment for our students and staff.
School Meals During Remote Learning
We are offering curbside school meal distribution for Vaughan Elementary and Warren County High School students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their assigned schools while they are in remote learning.
Top Priorities: In-Person Learning and Safety
We realize and understand the importance of students attending school in person. This school year, keeping classes in person and keeping our students and staff safe are our top two priorities.
Planning for this year, we hoped we wouldn’t be forced to move classes online. However, Warren County is suffering a high rate of community spread of the Delta variant, which is even more contagious and dangerous than the original COVID-19 virus.
That’s why we require everyone in our schools to wear face masks, to spread out as much as possible, and to wash their hands frequently throughout the day. But federal, state, and local health experts tell us that’s not enough.
Staffing Shortage
As of last Friday, we have 16 students and five staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. We also have nearly 130 students and 13 staff members who can’t be at school because they were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are required by the health department to quarantine. By Monday afternoon, even more students and staff had tested positive or required to quarantine, mostly from exposures in the community over the weekend. That leaves us with not enough employees to adequately and safely supervise all of our students, which is why we’re forced to move these two schools to online-only classes.
How You Can Help Keep In-Person Classrooms Open
Get vaccinated, if eligible
The NC Department of Health and Human Services says getting everyone vaccinated is the best way to end the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent serious illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths. Increasing our county’s vaccination rate is also our best chance to keep students attending classes in person, because vaccinated staff and students are less likely to catch or spread COVID-19.
Children under 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. That makes it even more important for everyone 12 and older to get the shot to help protect younger children and people with compromised immune systems.
Safe, effective vaccines are available for ages 12 and up. Find a convenient location to get your free vaccination at MySpot.nc.gov.
Stay home if you’re sick
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, a new cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
Stay home if you’re told to quarantine
The local health department requires people to quarantine if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and they are not vaccinated. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department. Quarantining and staying away from others helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 that can occur before a person knows they have the virus.
You are not required to stay home and quarantine simply because you live with someone who is required to quarantine. You are only required to quarantine if you were in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or you have reason to believe you may have the virus. If one child in a home is required to quarantine, other children in the home who were not exposed to the person with COVID-19 may still attend school.
Get tested
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or would like to be tested, the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) website has a list of testing locations. You may also consult with your healthcare provider or call the NCDHHS COVID Hotline at 1-888-675-4567.
Precautions to prevent the spread of germs
To help prevent the spread of germs, the CDC and NCDHHS emphasize the importance of following the 3 Ws at school, at home, and anytime you’re around people who do not live with you.
- Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth.
- Wait apart, in order to create as much distance as possible. Avoid close contact.
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
Emotional support
Students feeling anxious about this situation should reach out to their school counselor or principal for support.
Employees feeling anxious about this situation can visit the Employee Assistance Program website or call 1-800-633-3353 for additional resources and support.
Additional Information about COVID-19
For more information about COVID-19, visit these websites:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- NC Department of Health and Human Services
- Warren County Schools COVID-19 Numbers
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and continued support of Warren County Schools.