Governor Gary Herbert announced on Friday afternoon the soft closure of all K-12 public schools in Utah for at least two weeks to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. “We believe this is prudent and based on good science, based on what we’ve learned from other areas of the country and around the world,” shared Governor Herbert. “During this time schools will still provide meals to students as necessary…Some families [for example in families with a single parent or where both parents work] might have to find other accommodations [for their children]. We’re not going to close the doors at school for those folks. [We’ll be] providing meals, a roof over their heads and a place to go. The school district will do what they can to share information as it comes in,”continued the Governor. “This is an evolving situation…The soft closure is effective for 2 weeks and after 2 weeks we’ll re-assess, reevaluate…To be clear we are closing Utah schools as a preventative measure…This is to say an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Acting early is better than acting late…This decision is guided by input from scientists.” Uintah School District issued their own press release after the Governor’s announcement stating that while students will not attend school during this time, teachers and staff will be working in their buildings. Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th will be planning days for the schools and starting Wednesday the 18th home-based instruction will be provided by the schools. School Principals will be arranging times for students to retrieve personal belongings and school materials that may be needed but please do not come to the schools until you are asked to do so. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Duchesne County School District made a similar announcement following the Governor’s announcement. They stated that schools will notify families in their district with details on how to pick up meals at school and how teachers will invite students to come work in very small groups. Duchesne County’s announcement also encouraged all students to spend as much time as possible reading during this time.
