Stewart Elementary back in class after COVID case forces closure

STEVENSVILLE, Mich. -- Lakeshore's Stewart Elementary was able to return to the classrooms Wednesday after a COVID-positive case caused district officials to close the building for two days.

Parents received a letter Saturday telling them a teacher tested positive for COVID-19 and that those students who opted for in-person learning would need to switch to E-learning Monday.

The positive case caused 20 students and 11 staff members to quarantine themselves due to close contact with the teacher.

The Berrien County Health Department recommended Stewart Elementary close Monday and Tuesday while substitute teachers were found - which the district was able to do.

"We were able to procure enough substitutes to cover our positions, we were able to pull together devices for the students that might not have had devices or connectivity who are now at home, we also were able to set up the equipment for live streaming for our teachers who are quarantined right into their classrooms," said Lakeshore Public Schools Superintendent Philip Freeman. "And of course it’s not ideal, but we’ve been able to pull that off."

District officials also took the time to do a deep cleaning in the building while Stewart Elementary was closed.