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Peoria Unified adds more school closures due to sick-out protest

Posted 1/10/21

A number of schools in the Peoria Unified School District will be closed Monday due to a sick-out from teachers concerned about rising COVID-19 metrics.

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Peoria Unified adds more school closures due to sick-out protest

Posted

A number of schools in the Peoria Unified School District will be closed Monday due to a sick-out from teachers concerned about rising COVID-19 metrics.

Officials said the following schools will be closed due to "not enough staff to support a safe environment for students this Monday": Cactus, Centennial, Liberty, Ironwood, Peoria and Sunrise Mountain high schools as well as Country Meadows, Pioneer and Santa Fe elementary schools.

Alta Loma , Copperwood and Heritage elementary schools on Sunday were added to the list of schools that will be closed Monday.

Spokeswoman Danielle Airey said the district has closely monitored staff absence data, which is one of the factors used to determine to safely hold school.

"We have explored all possible options to keep school open but at this time, we do not have enough staff to support a safe environment for students this Monday, Jan. 11 at [listed schools]," she said.

Raymond S. Kellis High School, Peoria Flex Academy and MET Professional Academy, as well as the remaining 27 district elementary schools currently have appropriate staffing levels, Ms. Airey said.

Students and families from closed schools will not have access to buildings or fenced areas during regular school hours.

During this school closure, virtual learning will not take place. Transportation will still conduct their normal bus runs to ensure that no students are left unattended at a bus stop.

Any students identified by PUSD bus drivers will be brought back to the school site and families will be notified to come pick up their child.

The PUSD food and nutrition team will provide food curbside during normal lunch times for parents and community members to drive-thru or walk-up for lunch.

Childcare will be available for families in need on Monday, Jan. 11.

The City of Peoria and Peoria Unified’s KidZone programs in Glendale schools are working together to provide childcare opportunities during the school closure on Monday, Jan. 11.

Check www.peoriaunified.org/updates for current information and official district updates.