Esmond Station, a Vail K-8 school, is shutting down for two weeks after two staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
Contact tracing determined they had been in contact with staff and students throughout the campus, which serves about 700 children.
The closure goes into effect Monday, Nov. 30, and runs through Dec. 11, according to a Nov. 28 letter from Esmond Station Principal Lainie Kitzmiller. Hybrid in-person learning will resume Dec. 14.
The school learned of the positive cases over the holiday weekend and have notified those who were in close contact, advising them to self-quarantine.
The decision to close the school, 9400 S. Atterbury Wash Way, was made in consultation with the Pima County Health Department.
Days earlier, on Nov. 25, Vail Superintendent John Carruth shared the district would continue to offer hybrid learning, saying it is seeing “very low rates” of COVID-19 transmission within its schools.
Carruth noted that schools across Pima County that are also offering hybrid instruction are seeing “very low rates” of spread — less than 5% — and that Dr. Francisco Garcia, chief medical officer with the Pima County Health Department, continues to support hybrid learning despite rising cases in the Tucson area.
“Through all the changes during the pandemic, one constant continues to guide our decisions. We must continue to rely on public health benchmarks and guidance from Pima County Health experts to provide the safest learning environment for students and staff,” Carruth said.
Given the fluidity of the situation, Carruth said the district is watching the public health metrics and will make adjustments when public health advice warrants doing so.
Tucson’s largest school district, TUSD, has not reopened for in-person learning since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March. Sunnyside, the city’s second-largest district, has opted to return to remote learning after the Thanksgiving break until at least Jan. 4 because of a rise in coronavirus cases and the possibility of an even greater increase around the holidays.
Photos: Back-to-school in Tucson during the pandemic
"Mustang Stampede"
Maddy Jacobs, 7, middle, reaches for her remote learning tool kit from her teacher, Kris Green, as her friend, Carly Kupinski, 6, watches during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Augusta Iranzi, center, attends his teachers online class while monitors Jasmine Phillip, left, and Nadifo Yusuf, watch students inside a classroom at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
"Mustang Stampede"
Lily Baser, 8, identifies herself for easy remote learning tool kit pickup during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Krista Westmoreland, left, a third grade teacher, shows the remote learning tool kit of a student to Anna Ames, music teacher, during the "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Maya Brown, 9, rides in style for her remote learning tool kit pickup during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Multiage teachers Kris Green left, and April Pollow greet and cheer on their students during a "Mustang Stampede" at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Maddy Jacobs, 7, left, waves to her teacher as she stands in the sunroof with her friend, Carly Kupinski, 6, during a "Mustang Stampede" to pickup their remote learning tool kit at Manzanita Elementary School for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
For the first day of school teachers at Manzanita Elementary School greeted their students during a "Mustang Stampede" and handed out remote learning tool kits on August 17, 2020.
"Mustang Stampede"
Kim Boling, principal at Manzanita Elementary School, greets her students and parents with a mustang during the "Mustang Stampede" for the first day of school on August 17, 2020.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Yarani Martinez gives a monitor a thumbs up to inform the monitor that his online class is working after classes began at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Alice Flores, right, watches as her grandson Jesus Silva is escorted to the cafeteria before classes began at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
First Day of School, John B. Wright Elementary
Augusta Iranzi follows the directions on the floor while being escorted to a classroom at John B. Wright Elementary School, 4311 E. Linden St., in Tucson, Ariz. on August 17, 2020. About 10 students came to school for online instruction under the guidance of classroom monitors.
