GTC Extends Break; KUSD 'We Miss You' Parade; Virus Cases Rise Locally

March 24, 2020 8:45p

(WGTD)---The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kenosha County rose to 14 Tuesday, an increase of one from the previous day. In an online briefing delivered to the Kenosha County Board Tuesday night, Health Dept. Dir. Jen Freiheit said 130 people have tested negative but that test results were pending in another 278 cases. In both Racine and Walworth counties, the number of new cases grew by one. Racine County has a total of 6 while Walworth County's number rose to 5. The number of confirmed cases in Lake County jumped to 115 on Tuesday. Statewide, there are 457 cases with five deaths. Negative readings came back on 8, 237 tests.

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(WGTD)---Gateway Technical College has extended its coronavirus closure to Apr. 24th, the date that Gov. Evers' stay-at-home order is scheduled to expire. Originally, Gateway hoped to have students back in class by Apr. 6th. Gateway announced on March 17th that it would close two days later. As much online teaching as possible is currently underway in an effort to have students complete their classes. Gateway President Bryan Albrecht said Tuesday that most students will be able to finish on time via the online delivery method, but that some students will need to return to school to demonstrate competencies in lab work.

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(WGTD)---Despite the stay-at-home order, the Kenosha School Board held a regular business meeting Tuesday night. Board members observed social distancing recommendations by sitting apart from one another. One board member, Rebecca Stevens, appeared by phone. School Superintendent Sue Savaglio-Jarvis said despite the school closures work is continuing on multiple levels in the district. Contractors are continuing to work on previously-approved building projects. Teachers have prepared enrichment lessons. Over 1,500 bag lunches and snacks are being served daily to students at several sites. And teachers are trying to stay in touch with students. One creative way occurred earlier Tuesday in the Wilson neighborhood when some teachers pasted signs of encouragement to their vehicles and paraded up and down the streets. "It was just so very heart-warming to know that teachers were obviously thinking of their students and missing their students and wanting them to know it," said board member Mary Modder who witnessed the parade. Savaglio-Jarvis said she and the superintendents of several other of the state's large school districts met by phone this week with Gov. Evers to discuss strategies and options.

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