Five CPS schools switch to online-only learning due to COVID-19

A fifth Columbia elementary school is switching to online-only learning due to staffing shortages due to COVID-19.

Columbia Public Schools announced Thursday that West Boulevard Elementary will switch to virtual learning starting Friday. The plan is to return students to the classroom on Nov. 17.

Derby Ridge Elementary and Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary started virtual learning again Thursday. They both plan to go back to in-person learning on Nov. 17. Ridgeway Elementary is holding online-only classes through at least Nov. 11. The Center for Early Learning – North preschool classes are also online-only until Nov. 19.

Both Fulton Middle School and Fulton High School will also pivot to online-only learning, starting Friday. The district said Wednesday it plans to bring students back on Nov. 16.

The California R-1 school district said Wednesday all students will learn online-only, starting Monday and running through the rest of November.  Currently, there are 25 students and staff that have tested positive and 273 more are quarantining as close contacts. The district says it will plan to return to the classroom on Dec. 3.