A charter school in Newark was evacuated and shut down after the school learned that a teacher came in contact with a confirmed Coronavirus patient. School officials would not confirm where the teacher came in contact with the patient and how long he was exposed at this time.
**The following is a statement made by the People Prep Charter School today:**
”This morning, a staff member found out that, yesterday evening, he spent time with people who were in a location where someone who now has a confirmed case of COVID-19 had been at some point earlier in the week.
While that staff member is asymptomatic and has many degrees of separation from anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, he was immediately sent home to self-quarantine. Within 45 minutes of our administrative team receiving notification, and out of an abundance of caution, the building was cleared of all staff and students and all relevant state and local officials were notified.
**Home Instruction**
As stated in our most recent newsletter, we will assign students learning packets to take home for each of their classes.
Students should check their PPCS email account, as teachers will be emailing the packets there. Students will also be able to find their assignments on our website.
The packets will be graded and will be equivalent to at least an exit ticket, homework assignment, and classwork grade for each day that the school is closed. All packets will be due the day that school is back in session.
**Reopening/Next Steps**
We are in the process of working with cleaning companies to do a precautionary deep cleaning of the building and all of our shared spaces and devices. By most estimates, this will take several days to complete.
There is also the possibility that any actions could further delay our reopening that the local or state government take in regard to mandatory school closings if the outbreak worsens. In the event that state or local officials require that schools close, we will follow their protocol.