Roanoke City schools make changes after new COVID-19 cases

Some students that were in person are now moving all virtual

Coronavirus and the Classroom

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke City Schools is making changes to some classes after staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Sixth graders at John P. Fishwick Middle School will move to virtual learning for the next two weeks and are scheduled to return on Oct. 26.

Here are the notifications that we sent out:

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Wednesday, Sept. 30:

A staff member at Patrick Henry High School has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The staff member was not on school premises this week, but they did have direct exposure with members of our school community. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. Patrick Henry High School will remain open during this time,” said in the notification sent on Wednesday.

Monday, Oct. 5:

A staff member at Fallon Park Elementary School has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

“The staff member was not on school Monday, October 5, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with members of our school community. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. Fallon Park Elementary School will remain open during this time,” said the notification sent on Monday.

A staff member at Lucy Addison Middle School has also been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The staff member was not on school Monday, October 5, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with members of our school community. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. Lucy Addison Middle School will remain open during this time," said the notification sent on Monday.

Friday, Oct. 9

A staff member at the Central Office has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

“The staff member was not in the annex building Friday, October 9, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with other employees. The Central Office Annex building will remain open during this time," said the notification sent Friday.

Sunday, Oct. 11:

A staff member at the Central Office has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

“The staff member was not in the building Friday, October 9, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with other employees. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. The Central Office building will remain open during this time,” said the notification sent Sunday.

Monday, Oct. 12:

A staff member at John P. Fishwick Middle has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The staff member was not on school premises Monday, October 12, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with members of our school community. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. John P. Fishwick Middle will remain open, but sixth-grade students who are currently participating in-person instruction will move to virtual learning for the next two weeks. They are scheduled to return to John P. Fishwick Middle Monday, October 26, 2020,” said the notification sent Monday.

A Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) staff member has also been diagnosed.

“The staff member was not on school Monday, October 12, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with members of our school community. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) will remain open during this time," said the notification sent Monday.

A staff member at Monterey Elementary School has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The staff member was not on school premises Monday, October 12, 2020. Based on the case investigation, the staff member did not have direct contact with students. However, there has been exposure to other staff members. Monterey Elementary School will remain open during this time," said the notification sent Monday.

A staff member at Fairview Elementary School has been diagnosed with coronavirus.

“The staff member was not on school premises Monday, October 12, 2020, but they did have direct exposure with members of our school community. Employee Health has communicated with all individuals that have had direct exposure at this time. Fairview Elementary School will remain open during this time," said the notification sent Monday.

Tuesday, Oct. 13:

A second Central Office staff member has been diagnosed with coronavirus, which caused an office closure.

“The Central Office Annex building will be closed until October 27, 2020. Staff assigned to the Central Office Annex will work virtually until the building reopens. We are not requiring staff that have had brief interaction or visited the Central Office Annex building to quarantine or work virtually,” said the notification sent Tuesday.

The Roanoke Technical Education Center sent an update about their positive COVID-19 case letter:

Dear Faculty and Staff

This is a follow up to the letter dated October 12, 2020 regarding a positive COVID staff member in Roanoke Technical Education Center. Upon receiving further information, the staff member has tested negative for COVID -19. In consultation with the local health department and RCPS Employee Health, staff members are expected to return to work at ROTEC on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 unless otherwise directed by Employee Health.

If you have any questions, you may contact Employee Health, Monday – Friday 7am-4pm at 853-1433 or 853-1436.

Kathleen Duncan, Principal at Roanoke Technical Educaton Center

10 News has asked for any other notifications that were sent out over the last two weeks to Roanoke City parents or staff, and will update this article as needed.

To see the running list of Coronavirus cases in local K-12 schools, click here.


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You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.

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