Ironwood High School pauses in-person learning amid COVID concerns

PHOENIX — Ironwood High School has paused in-person learning through Feb. 9 amid COVID-19 concerns, the Peoria Unified School District announced on Friday.

The school had 13 positive COVID-19 cases reported this week that had campus exposure during the individuals’ infectious period, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Maricopa County Department of Public Health supports the decision, according to a message on the district’s website, saying the amount of time away covers the incubation period from the last date of exposure on campus.

The decision, which the district said was not made lightly, was based on a framework of different metrics including current community spread, absenteeism, classroom impact and other factors.

Ironwood High School increased mitigation procedures last week, including temporarily pausing programs and quarantining students when cases were reported, but felt the decision to pause in-person learning and other extracurricular activities on campus as a precautionary measure is in the best interest of student and staff safety.

Students will receive an email from teachers prior to Monday morning on directions for virtual learning, according to the message, with the school making arrangements for those who need a laptop or WiFi device.

Limited space will be available on-site for support of students who need a safe place for online learning, according to the website.

The district said the school will take this time to thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire campus.

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