R-III Closed for Covid

Citing recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, the Mountain View-Birch Tree school district cancelled in-person classes until January 24. Superintendent Don Christensen confirmed in a phone interview that two-hundred students and twenty-four staff members were out of school as of Tuesday morning. 

The district sent out a mass message to parents, students, and staff members late Tuesday morning to inform them of the temporary closure. The district also included information regarding educational packets to be sent home with students or accessed online. 

The district’s decision to dismiss classes after January 18, left many parents scrambling to find childcare. “We understand the safety. Completely, but for daycare reasons it is so hard,” commented working mom, Gretchen Creighton. “A lot of moms had to find babysitters, which is not easy. This mom wishes there were more options,” she continued to express. 

“While I try to look at this from everyone’s perspective, from parents needing to find daycare for their children, and schools wanting to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their students. I agree with the shut down,” said parent, Heather Keeton. “I think the school is making a great effort in trying to stop the spread of covid,” she added.

The initial statement from the district did not cancel sports game or practices. The 51st Annual Liberty Invitation Tournament was scheduled to take place from January 17 through 22, but it was also eventually cancelled. Superintendent Christensen stated the tournament was cancelled in another effort to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“The Mountain View-Birch Tree School District continues to make every effort to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students and staff,” he said.