Random Lake back to in-person classes, but local schools on virus alert

The Random Lake School District returned to full-time, in-person classes this week after going to virtual learning for one week after some staff and students tested positive for the coronavirus.

“We are back in school, and all is going well,” district Supt. Mike Trimberger said Monday. “The surge in Random Lake has seemed to subside. Going forward, we hope to be in person and will keep working toward that goal.”

The Random Lake district, which includes the northern half of the Town of Fredonia and part of the Town of Belgium, went to virtual learning starting Oct. 16 after 30% of the school population —220 students and 10 staff members — were exposed to the virus from one person through a series of 15 separate events over two days, Trimberger said.

While the number of cases statewide rose in the last week, they did not in the Random Lake School District, Trimberger said in a message to parents.

“Although we are up to five Covid cases in our district, our week of virtual learning has allowed for most of the required staff quarantining to expire,” he said. 

In the message, Trimberger acknowledged that the possibility exists that more shutdowns may occur. “Looking into the future, there may be times that we will be forced to make a switch back to virtual learning. If that happens, it will be for the shortest amount of time safely possible,” he said.

Parents who have concerns about sending their children to school can opt for them to attend school virtually.

Besides the five positive cases Trimberger mentioned, he said 13 students lived in homes where others had tested positive and one middle school student was waiting for test results while experiencing Covid-like symptoms.

According to the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department’s website, the Random Lake School District’s “burden”  was rated as “very high,” at 483.9 cases among children living in the district.

Burden is a rolling number defined as the number of positive cases per 100,000 population over the previous two weeks.

The Northern Ozaukee School District’s burden also was rated very high, with 410 cases per 100,000.

Random Lake and Ozaukee high schools’  sports teams have been hobbled by the virus.

All Random Lake sports were canceled due to the move to virtual learning. The RLHS football team had to forfeit two football games, for instance.

The Ozaukee High School volleyball team has had to cancel or forfeit several matches due to players being quarantined, and the Big East Conference volleyball tournament was canceled due to teams being unable to play.

Several players in OHS sports, including the soccer and football teams, have had to be quarantined after being exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus.