BCSD moves BFHS to category yellow, two day in-person learning

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County School District, after the Panhandle Health District elevated Boundary County’s risk level to category red, has voted unanimously to switch Bonners Ferry High School to category yellow.

In a news release, BCSD Superintendent Jan Bayer said, “based on our local metrics at our schools, the board approved moving Bonners Ferry High School to Category 2, yellow, and maintain Category 1, green, for kindergarten through eighth-grade buildings: Mt. Hall, Valley View, Naples, and Boundary County Middle School.”

The change in category for high school will cause a few changes as the school district transitions from category green to yellow.

Category yellow will require students to attend school two days per week in person and two days remotely. Group A will attend on Monday and Tuesday, while Group B will attend on Wednesday and Thursday.

Schools are working to have families attend school on the same days. Remote learning will be available to students.

The BCSD board will be monitoring and evaluate kindergarten through middle school on a weekly basis.

According to Bayer, hospitals closest to Boundary County are at capacity and if hospitalization is required, patients they may be transferred to Seattle or Portland for accommodation.

There were more than 49 active cases in Boundary County confirmed Thursday, Oct. 22, as PHD released their current figures.

The rolling average and testing positivity rate in Boundary County is well above the "orange" risk category, according to Bayer.

“We are clear over category three,” Bayer said.

The superintendent spoke earlier in the afternoon with principals who were on board with the recommendations once data was disclosed to them.

BCSD has outlined the following preventive measures:

• Wear your mask/face covering when you are around people you do not live with;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Stay home when you are sick and stay home with your family as much as possible;
• Social distance yourself a minimum of 6 feet;
• Avoid unnecessary travel;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue if you are not masked and make sure to throw the tissue away; and
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces often.

“Working together and consistently practicing preventive measures in and out of school will help keep our students, parents/guardians, and community members safe, healthy, and at least minimize the spread,” Bayer wrote.