Giltner 7-12 to be quarantined

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Multiple positive COVID-19 cases reported within grades 7-12 population

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  • Giltner's 7-12 will enter a quarantine period for the coming weeks due to COVID-19.
    Giltner's 7-12 will enter a quarantine period for the coming weeks due to COVID-19.
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Due to COVID-19, Giltner students grades 7-12 will be quarantined for the coming weeks, according to the Giltner Public Schools’ website Wednesday morning. 
Online classes are set to begin Thursday for those junior and high school students according to the school’s e-learning plan, Supt. Nick Mumm reported over the phone. 
“It’s a tough thing to do and decision to be made,” Mumm noted. “We made the decision Tuesday after learning of multiple positive cases. We want to do what’s best for our students and staff.”
School officials received the directive from the Central District Health Department Tuesday evening as the Hornet volleyball team hosted a triangular with Heartland and Doniphan-Trumbull. 
The gym was cleared and disinfected entirely before the two visiting teams elected to play each other, however Doniphan-Trumbull chose to not play Giltner at the end of the night, Mumm said. 
Grades 7, 8 and 9 are scheduled to come out of quarantine on Oct. 14 while grades 10, 11 and 12 will return on Oct. 21. Pk-6 will remain in school, Mumm pointed out, however that is subject to change. 
“We will hit the reset button,” Mumm said as the first quarter of school ended Oct. 2. “We have a plan in place and will start online learning.”
As of now, Mumm noted multiple positive cases with 7-12 students, but no staff members as of Wednesday morning. 
“We’ll re-evaluate with the health department on quarantines and do what is best for everyone,” Mumm said. 
Giltner’s junior and high school students will enter a full, online learning program with grades and assignments, just as if they were in-person. 
Mumm added that PreK-6 students will remain in-person for the time being as the two sides of the building have little to no interaction with each other. 
“We’re committed that if it’s safe, we can keep elementary kids in class,” Mumm said. “It’s more important for those young minds to stay in session.”
After hearing from and following the Central District Health Department’s directives, Mumm, the school board and administration consulted with one another to make said tough decisions. 
“We went through all the contact tracing along with the health department,” Mumm concluded. “Everyone is working hard and we’re keeping our heads up.”
Giltner’s remaining two football games of the regular season will not be played. The Lady Hornet volleyball team won’t compete again until Oct. 26.
Further updates will be shared as they become available.