LIBBY — The middle and high schools in Libby have moved to remote learning due to COVID-19.
There are currently over 100 students and five staff members quarantined due to the coronavirus and school administrators note that overall attendance has been reduced to 50%.
Additionally, 10 positive COVID-19 cases reported in recent days.
A letter posted on the LMHS website states that classes will be held virtually through Thanksgiving with in-person learning currently expected to resume on Nov. 30.
Meals will be delivered using bus routes starting at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. A schedule of lunch drop off times and locations and times can be found here.
Phase 0 class times and office hours can also be viewed here. School officials also note there are a limited number of Chromebooks that can be checked out by students.
Libby Public Schools Superintendent Ron Goodman says remote learning is difficult, but the teachers are working extra hard.
He says they hope to keep kids in the schools as much as possible, but right now that is not an option.
"We're trying to grab every day that we can grab. But there has to be a balance of education and safety. We're just doing our best to make that call," Goodman told MTN News.
Goodman says parents are incredibly helpful during this time, but he knows not everyone is equipped to handle remote learning, and he wants to remind people to stay positive.
Lincoln County High School in Eureka is also going to remote learning until Thanksgiving, according to a post on their Facebook page.
The Lincoln County Health Department reported late Wednesday that 21 additional COVID-19 cases had been confirmed. There are currently 185 active cases along with 2 hospitalizations and 305 recoveries.
A total of 496 coronavirus cases have been confirmed to date in Lincoln County. Six COVID-19 related deaths have also been reported.