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Carnegie Elementary Closes Because Of Staff Absences But COVID Quarantines Not The Issue

Updated Aug. 26, 5:05 p.m.

Tulsa Public Schools' Carnegie Elementary will remain closed Friday because of multiple staff absences.

The school was closed Thursday for the same reason.

TPS employees report a reason why they will be absent when they call out. A district spokeswoman said the closure is not because of the absent staff members needing to be in quarantine because of close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Principal Krista Blanche said in a statement seven teachers notified the school Thursday morning they would be absent.

"We do everything we can to ensure that our classrooms will have coverage if our teachers are not able to come to school in-person. Our team spent the morning trying to find substitutes and determining if adequate coverage could be provided,” Blanche said. “Unfortunately due to these unforeseen staffing absences, we had to make the tough decision to suspend in-person learning for all students on Thursday, Aug. 26 — notifying parents as soon as possible.”

The opening bell at Carnegie, which offers pre-K through fifth grade, is at 7:30 a.m. Parents reported receiving notifications about Thursday's closure around 7:20 a.m.

A letter sent to parents Thursday said if there is a longer suspension of in-person learning, families will have an opportunity to pick up Chromebooks and chargers for their students.

Carnegie students' free breakfasts and lunches can be picked up by appointment only from the Ross Child Nutrition Center, 8934 E Latimer St. Contact 918-833-8670 or cns@tulsaschools.org to arrange for meal pick-up.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.
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