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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

Capital School District returns to distance learning immediately

The Capital School District is moving completely back to remote learning starting Tuesday.

Interim superintendent Sylvia Henderson announced the decision early Monday night, saying it is “in the best interest of Capital School District’s families and students.”

The district will remain completely in distance learning mode until January 4th.

Henderson says the latest COVID-19 numbers for Kent County prompted the move.  The county now has two of the three indicators the state uses to determine school status in the “red” zone.

The new case rate per 100,000 people is well over the benchmark of 100 in Kent, standing at 277.  And the 7-day rolling average of positive tests is now over 8, sitting at 8.3 percent.

"We understand the concern this causes for all of our families and we want you to know that we are actively engaged with all appropriate state agencies," said Henderson in her announcement.

The move essentially only changes the status of students in pre-K through fourth grades, which had started hybrid learning.

Grades 5-12 were set begin using a hybrid option Monday, but the district’s school board last week voted to push that that move to January.

The state notes on its website that it “uses statewide COVID-19 data to make recommendations about school reopening” and current statewide data does not indicate a need to close schools.

Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for three decades. He joined Delaware Public Media in 2010 as our first news director and has guided the news team ever since. When he's not covering the news, he can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.
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