SALT LAKE CITY-Friday afternoon, Governor Gary Herbert announced all Utah K-12 schools will participate in a two week school dismissal-effective Monday, March 16. He explained this was prudence based on good science and is to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Each district will implement the soft closure individually, and school will still occur, either with online lessons or packets students take home with them.
Meals will still be provided for those dependent on them, most likely as grab-and-go foods.
School personnel will still be in the buildings for students who need tutoring services, and school doors will remain open.
It was explained that a soft closure is being used because learning will still be taking place, and therefore the days will most likely not need to be made up later.
It was reiterated that school will be ongoing, just in a distance learning situation away from the school buildings. It is not a time for students to gather and visit with friends. The Utah School Board will be meeting to discuss policy changes that may allow for this time to count as the regular school year. Questions on specific district closures should be directed to each individual district.
