Update on COVID-related data

​Our county and our community just endured the worst COVID-case month ever. We all pray that the worst is over. According to our latest County Public Health meeting, there have been a total of 32 Covid related deaths in Morrison County, 22 of them in November. Our collective thoughts go out to all families affected by this pandemic.

Pierz Schools continues to work hard to provide children and families the stability of a school year as much as possible. We are still bringing in our K-4 children daily and strive every day to make that work.

We are pleased about some positive changes to our community data that hopefully can continue to trend in that same direction over the next few weeks.

When we look at the 14-day Case Rate dates for the Pierz zip code, our numbers were as follows: 56, 90, 168, and 132 for each Thursday in November from Nov. 5 to Nov 25. Today’s Dec. 3 report is 89 positive cases.  The Hillman zip code showed a similar trend.

We have also encountered some relief with our staff.  In November, we ranged from 7% to 12% of teachers gone at various times that month.  As of today we are at 5%.

The fact that grades 5-12 children are not attending impacts the student data we monitor relative to positive tests and more importantly close contacts. We still are seeing some hope in a decrease, although that is more challenging to measure when so many students are not attending.

We truly want children in school and feel that is the goal of most families as well. There are a few areas where we continue to ask for (and thank you for) your help. Obviously, while your children are at home, we need all the support we can to encourage students to stay online and complete their work and engage with  their teacher. But two other areas are also critical:

• We need families to report any data you have on test results to our nurses, regardless if the child is in Distance Learning or not. We need to know exact numbers as we consider allowing more students to return. 
• As stated all year, transportation is one of our biggest challenges.  We are so thankful for the parents whose children walk to school and those who are able to bring their children to and from school.  We will need more help in that regard as we hope to bring back more students.  

Thanks again for all your help, your constant communication and your support.
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--George Weber, Superintendent