Blackwell Schools: "NO DELIVIERES" for Valentine's Day; others

Blackwell Public Schools officials announced last week that they will not allow deliveries to Blackwell Elementary School, Blackwell Middle School or Blackwell High School for Valentine’s Day and other events because of the pandemic.

“As we consider student and staff safety and reduction of possible COVID-19 exposures, we are temporarily suspending deliveries to school,” school officials said in a news release. “We will no longer accept any outside deliveries such as balloons and flowers for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, etc.

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation while we strive to maintain a safe environment for your children. When we feel we are able to reverse this decision, we will notify you.” Valentine’s Day cookies from junior class parents, however, will still be distributed by school staff. The middle school and high school switched to distance learning at the end of 2020 because of the number of active COVID-19 cases at each school.

Third-grade students at the elementary school switched to distance learning Jan. 25 and were expected to return to in-person learning Tuesday.

The transition was made because of an increase in COVID-19 case numbers, officials said. School officials said Jan. 26 that the high school had two active COVID-19 cases, with 21 other people in quarantine.

The Jan. 26 high school basketball games against Frontier Public Schools were canceled. On Jan. 27, officials said the middle school had one active case, and that 70 others were in quarantine. On Jan. 29, officials said the elementary school had two active cases, with two other people in quarantine