LRSD to resume on-site learning with selected schools remaining virtual

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — The Little Rock School District will resume on-site learning Wednesday, Jan. 12 but selected schools will remain virtual.

Today’s announcement from Superintendent Michael Poore said the list of schools below may change at any time.

The schools that will remain virtual are:

• Booker Magnet Elementary School;
• Chicot Elementary School;
• Don Roberts Elementary School;
• JA Fair K-8 School;
• Mabelvale Middle School;
• Pulaski Heights Middle School;
• Rockefeller Early Childhood Center;
• Southwest High School;
• Washington Elementary School.

These schools will continue virtual learning through Friday, January 14. The district said all schools listed have a significant percentage of staff and leadership personnel out on quarantine.

LRSD also said they will continue to assess COVID numbers daily.

Arkansas has seen a rise in cases and hospitalizations fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus. The state on Tuesday announced 7,756 new COVID-19 cases, although the actual number is likely higher because of those testing at home or who are infected and haven’t been tested.

The state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by 80 to 1,148, while deaths increased by 25 to 9,358 total since the pandemic began.

Other school districts have been shifting to virtual classes because of the spike in cases. The Helena-West Helena School District said it would shift to virtual classes and have no in-person instruction until Jan. 18 because of the outbreak.