Fremont, Hamilton school systems shift to virtual learning

STEUBEN COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA) - Two of the four public school systems serving Steuben County will shift to virtual learning through the end of the week due to the spread of COVID-19.

Fremont Community Schools on Monday afternoon said it knows of 47 confirmed cases in the past two weeks -- nearly half of those since Sunday -- prompting officials to make the decision to keep students and staff away from campuses through Friday. A return to the classroom is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24, when a two-hour delay will be in effect.

Stakeholders were notified by automated phone call and social media, with a message that expressed that “(officials) understand the short notice will cause issues for families, but with 21 positive cases today we had no other direction to go.”

Also moving to virtual learning: Hamilton Community Schools, serving southeastern Steuben County and some of northern DeKalb County. In-person classes there are also suspended this week, with remote teaching taking effect on Tuesday. Athletic practices and games have been called off through Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Students and staff will return to campus on Monday, Jan. 24. In the interim, cleaning crews will be sanitizing schools as a precaution.

“We are hoping that this round of illness is peaking and will begin to diminish soon,” officials said in a social media post. “We will take the time with our custodial staff to complete a deep clean of the building. Thank you for your understanding.”