When school reopened on Aug. 25, Warren County R-III administrators anticipated ongoing changes as the first month in session evolved. With this has come the flow of spectators into sporting events and an increase of students into the classroom — at least in some regards.

While the actual number of students in the seated classroom varies widely each day based upon COVID-19 quarantine measures, the total number of students opting to learn in the building has increased. R-III currently has 890 students enrolled in the virtual learning model, down considerably from the highest figure of 944.

“We have had several families decide to switch students back to in-person learning,” said Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith. “A lot of people made a choice one way or another, got into it and realized it wasn’t a good fit for their families.”

Last Friday was the final day for students to switch their learning model this semester.

Having had five positive cases of COVID-19, R-III has fluctuated between having 80 to 100 students in quarantine at any given time. As of Sept. 18, there were 93 students quarantined.

“There are alternative measures the department of elementary and secondary education has allowed us to use when we have groups of students quarantined,” said Klinginsmith. “We’ve implemented that plan, with middle school and high school students learning through Canvas and elementary students receiving instruction through Google Classroom.”

In the event of an entire class transitioning to virtual, the teacher would shift the learning model to that approach for all students. To this date, one class in each of the elementary buildings has been forced into a quarantine situation, with many of those students having transitioned back.

As it relates extracurricular activities, several traditions have had to be eliminated or modified. Students are celebrating Homecoming this week with themed spirit days, but there will not be a dance held this fall. Klinginsmith says it is hoped that the usual crowning of the court will be able to take place.

The marching band, which typically plays at each varsity home football contest, will be limited to a performance during the Oct. 16 game.

“Friday night football is what we’ve had to make the biggest modifications for,” said Klinginsmith. “Players and cheerleaders are given six tickets apiece.”

He says the open the layout of the athletic complex has allowed for fans to spread out and provide for social distancing.

With attendance to indoor events being lower, R-III has not restricted capacity, but has pulled out bleachers on both sides of the gymnasium to provide for spacing. While masks are not required at extracurricular events as long as fans can stay distanced, Klinginsmith says compliance has been satisfactory.

“Everyone is trying to keep each other safe and no one wants to spread the virus,” said Klinginsmith. “People are really doing a good job of trying to spread out and social distance as best as we can.”