Crane Elementary School District Transitions to Remote Learning
Yuma, AZ – On November 25, 2020, the Crane Governing Board held a special work session to discuss a potential return to remote learning due to an abrupt influx of reported cases at multiple Crane Schools. Two Crane Schools had already returned to remote instruction due to increased cases on campus. Today, November 25, 2020 at 1:45 p.m., the Yuma County Health Department confirmed that two additional schools (Gowan Science Academy and Pueblo Elementary School) are experiencing an outbreak. A school outbreak of COVID-19 is defined by the Arizona Department of Health Services as:
- Two or more laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases among students or staff with onsets within a 14-day period;
- Who are epidemiologically linked (i.e. a case in which the individual has had contact with one or more persons who have/had the disease);
- Do not share a household;
- Not identified as close contacts of each other in another setting during standard case investigation/contract tracing.
After careful consideration, the governing board elected to transition all Crane Schools to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester, effective as of Monday, November 30, 2020. The board also reviewed current and projected metrics from the Arizona Department of Health Services which indicate a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases in the community, as well as information provided by the district COVID-19 investigative team.
The school transition to remote learning will become effective on November 30, 2020 with an expected return on January 4, 2021. The return date is subject to change based on recommendations from the local health department and school district administration. Parents will receive remote learning instructions from the schools in order to prepare for remote classes which will begin on Monday, November 30, 2020 after the Thanksgiving Break.
We understand that our community may be curious to know specific details. Out of respect for our learning community, and in alignment with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountabilty Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) privacy laws, we must maintain confidentiality.
Per Executive Order 2020-51, free on-site support services will be provided at all schools until a return to in-person learning is possible. “On-site learning required by Executive Order 2020-41(3)(b) includes in-person support services such as student supervision and strategic support for students in need during standard school hours, which may include teacher-led or paraprofessional support for students with distance learning instruction.” We encourage families to only use the service if absolutely necessary. No transportation services will be provided. If a family requires on-site support services, please contact the specific school to register.
The Crane Elementary School District will continue to provide free curbside meals at all Crane Schools for students ages 18 and younger from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
For school-specific questions, parents and guardians can reach out to their child(ren)’s school by phone. Contact information for Crane schools is available online at www.craneschools.org. The district social media and website contains up-to-date information. The Crane Mitigation Plan, also available on our website, provides additional information on remote learning and other COVID-19 related topics; it is updated on a weekly basis.
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