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Volume 52, No. 15
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Geauga Schools React as Pandemic Peaks By Amy Patterson amy@geaugamapleleaf.com
Geauga County’s five school districts are adapting once again to an increase in COVID-19 cases and quarantines, with two districts — Chardon and Kenston — opting for 100% remote learning until the new year. Berkshire Schools will continue in-person learning as long as Geauga Public Health Commissioner Tom Quade advises it is safe to do so, Superintendent John Stoddard said.
“I meet frequently with Tom Quade to assess our situation at Berkshire and, as of today (Dec. 3), we have no active student cases and one active staff case,” Stoddard said. The district has a COVID-19 dashboard on its website which provides updated case numbers. West Geauga Schools stayed on a remote model the week after Thanksgiving break, but all buildings except the high school returned to in-person learning Dec. 7. WGHS will return to in-person
Teaming Up for Bats
instruction Dec. 14, Superintendent Richard Markwardt told parents in an email Dec. 3. “West Geauga High School has experienced a significant rise in positive COVID-19 cases this week. Although we were able to trace the origin and isolate those infected, the rise in positive cases has caused us to re-evaluate our ability to offer in-person instruction in the high school building at this time,” he wrote. Markwardt said the district anticipated most WGHS students
who tested positive for the virus in the week after Thanksgiving would be cleared by their physicians to return to school by the following week, allowing active cases to decline significantly. While Cardinal Schools middle and elementary buildings remain open as usual, Superintendent Bill Kermavner told parents Dec. 3 the district’s decision to shift high school students to a virtual model for the remainder of the semester See Schools • Page 5
Sponsor-a-Family Program Gives Christmas to Local Kids By Amy Patterson amy@geaugamapleleaf.com
SUBMITTED
After participating in a Bats Incredible program with Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, West Geauga Girl Scout Troop 70488 was inspired to create more habitats for bats. Twelve bat houses were constructed by Master Gardener volunteer Dick Coin, of Chardon, who left the final stages of completion up to the girls. Pictured are Marylinn Sherriff and Kaitlyn Lemmings, both of Chester Township, painting their bat houses to protect the wood and help stabilize the temperature for the bats.
As 2020 winds to a close, many families are looking forward to the holidays as a time to rest and reflect on a turbulent year. But for some, this year’s holiday season presents a new kind of stress — economic insecurity and changes in employment due to the COVID-19 pandemic mean people who have never before worried about providing their children with a picture-perfect Christmas may be wondering how they can keep that magic kindled. Sara Shininger, Community Support Coordinator at Geauga County Job and Family Services, explained the Sponsor-a-Family program — which distributes food, toys and gifts to lower income families, foster children and some senior citizens — is ready to play Santa for the county’s families in need.
Need Help for Christmas? Contact: Sara Shininger sara.shininger@jfs.ohio.gov 440-285-9141, ext. 1263 “There could be some families with kids out there that are worried about Christmas and don’t know what to do and don’t know where to go for help, I think probably because many of them have never had to access that kind of help before,” Shininger said. Families who have accessed the program in the past should also know while some of the day-to-day operations of JFS have changed due to the pandemic, the program is still running this year, although with some changes for the safety of staff and clients. The program, now in its 47th See Christmas • Page 6