Tempe Schools Return To Virtual Learning

TEMPE, AZ — Tempe schools returned to virtual learning Monday amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the Valley and across Arizona.

The Tempe Union High School, Tempe Elementary and Kyrene School Districts all announced a return to online school, effective Monday.

Tempe Union sent a letter to parents dated Nov. 20 to inform them of the decision.

"We remain mindful of our responsibility to keep our entire community safe - from students to teachers to staff and their respective families," Superintendent Dr. Kevin J. Mendivil wrote. "Please know that we do not take this decision lightly and that we are continuing to focus on delivering quality instruction in the virtual environment."

Mendivil said that a total of nearly 600 students and staff members in the district had been quarantined due to coronavirus exposure, even as the number of positive cases in the schools remains low. Schools are also suffering from a shortage of substitute teachers, making in-person learning difficult when teachers are quarantined. He also noted that he has seen numerous cases of students being sent to school with coronavirus symptoms or while awaiting test results.

Arizona reported 3,840 new coronavirus cases and 52 additional deaths Wednesday. Maricopa County accounted for 2,265 cases and 26 deaths.

Kyrene and Tempe Elementary also announced the same decision in letters to parents. Tempe Elementary began virtual learning on Nov. 23 while Kyrene made the switch Monday.

On-campus learning will be available to the students who need it in all three districts, including those with special needs, those who don't have internet access or computers, and foster children. Parents can also request in-person learning for their children.

Virtual learning is expected to continue until the start of the next semester in January, if public health allows it.

Kyrene Superintendent Jan Vesely acknowledged in her letter the hardship of online school for many kids but said that public health took precendence.

"I recognize the value and importance of students being in school and take the responsibility of
changing instructional environments very seriously," she wrote. "This shift to our contingency plan is based on the science, data and public health metrics available today."