Families Worried After 6 Positive COVID Cases Sends Jenks 2nd Grade Class To Distance Learning

Six students in a Jenks Southeast Elementary second grade classroom tested positive for COVID-19 this week, and now the whole class is in distance learning until at least Sept. 1. 

Some families are worried and asking the district to do more. Some parents said district isn't doing enough to protect its students, but the district said it's doing everything it can to keep kids safe, and in the classroom.

Rick Martin said his seven-year-old grandson Benjamin couldn't wait for his first day of 2nd grade last Wednesday.

"He is the sweetest, most loving little guy I know," Martin said.

On Wednesday, Rick got an email informing him that Benjamin will be in distance learning for a week, after several kids in his class tested positive for COVID-19.

"Six students in his classroom are COVID positive, and that was a shocker," Martin said. 

Right now, Jenks Public Schools strongly encourages all kids and staff wear masks but said it can't require masks due to state law.

The CDC said fully vaccinated people exposed to COVID-19 should get tested but don't have to quarantine, as long as they wear a mask. They said people who aren't fully vaccinated need to quarantine.

Rob Loeber with Jenks Public Schools said they require kids who test positive to stay home for 10 days, but they can't require quarantining for students who have a close contact.

"One of the reasons is, we can no longer ask people if they've been vaccinated," said Loeber. "We can't require proof of vaccination."

He said last year, the state department of health helped districts enforce quarantines for kids exposed, but this year if a parent didn't want their child to be put in quarantine, schools would have to have to ask for a legal ruling, and by that point the quarantine period would be over.

“We see cases in our district and community rise and want parents to see the reality of that and consider sending students in a mask," Loeber said.

The district said its policy could change at any point if the situation changes.

For more information, visit the Jenks Public Schools website here.