March 13, 2020 2:20p
(WPR)---Some public and private schools are closing due to COVID-19 fears following Gov. Tony Evers’ declaration of a public health emergency Thursday.
Schools are making the decision to close or cancel classes on a case-by-case basis.
The Whitefish Bay School District announced Friday afternoon that it, along with a dozen others, will close for the next four weeks with the possibility of extending that timeframe. The announcement came in a letter to families Friday.
"In consideration of the unprecedented situation in Wisconsin and the nation, both the North Shore and Washington Ozaukee Public Health Departments support 'medium length' school closures for schools to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," wrote Whitefish Bay District Administrator John Thomsen.
Below are some districts that have made announcements to close for four weeks as of 1:50 p.m. Friday:
- Whitefish Bay
- Brown Deer
- Cedarburg
- Fox Point-Bayside
- Germantown
- Glendale-River Hills
- Grafton
- Maple Dale-Indian Hill
- Nicolet
- Northern Ozaukee
- Port Washington
- Mequon-Thiensville
- Shorewood
Shifting To Online:
Below are some districts that have made announcements to go to virtual learning as of 1:50 p.m. Friday:
- Menomonee Falls School District: In a letter to families, the Menomonee Falls School District said it’s closing schools and all programs related to community education and outreach starting Monday. The district will shift to virtual learning in an effort to limit gatherings of 250 people or more to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The district says they’re taking "preemptive" steps to support social distancing and keep students and the community safe. Teachers are expected to receive further information on Monday with regards to alternate instruction. Schools are on spring break from March 23-27.
- Elmbrook School District: The district announced it’s moving classes online beginning Monday. The district was the first in the Milwaukee area to suspend in-person classes. It will move to virtual classes Monday until Friday, when a week-long spring break takes place.
- The Wauwatosa School District: the district announced Friday it will shift to online lessons beginning Tuesday. Students from 4K-12 will take place in digital learning through March 20. All after-school curricular activities are canceled for the next two weeks beginning Monday. The district will continue providing food for families for daily lunch pick-up at Longfellow and Whitman middle schools.
Other School Closures:
- Merton Community School District has closed after a potential case of the coronavirus in the community, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Madison Country Day School in Waunakee: The school announced they would use banked snow days to extend their spring break. Friday will be the last in-person school session until at least Monday, April 6.
Editor's note: This will be updated.