Happy Grove suspends face-to-face teaching

Happy Grove High School in eastern Portland has suspended face-to-face classes until mid-February after a member of staff reportedly tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19.

The decision was made on Monday by principal Monique Grant-Facey. In a text message issued on Monday, the principal pointed out that the member of staff had not visited the school since January 22, and that at the time of the positive test, the Ministry of Health and Wellness had made no recommendation for the facility to be closed.

A decision was made to downscale the numbers at the school. However, following that decision, it became apparent that some students and teachers were harbouring fears about the safety of the physical space. It is against that background that Grant-Facey thought it necessary to discontinue face-to-face classes, lock down the school to allow for deep cleaning, and to operate fully online until February 15. The school will proceed into the mid-term break from the 15th to the 19th of February.