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Some McLoughlin students forced into virtual learning By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Jan 26, 2022 06:20 PM A A 123rf.com photo Certain ‘teams’ will do instruction online Thursday and Friday Some students at McLoughlin Middle School in Medford will go into virtual learning for the rest of the week starting Thursday. In a message to families posted on the school’s website, Principal Kalin Cross said the decision, impacting three “teams” of students, was made due to staffing shortages caused by COVID-19-related issues. “We know this is an inconvenience and challenge for many families, and for that we deeply apologize,” Cross wrote. “This decision is based on student safety and our ability to provide proper supervision for our students.” Virtual student teams can obtain their coursework through the online learning platform Canvas, and attendance will be taken via Google forms, the principal added. Students not included in those teams will be expected to come to campus. It is anticipated that McLoughlin will revert back to in-person learning for all students Jan. 31, Cross said. The McLoughlin principal used the online letter to remind parents to screen their kids for COVID-19 symptoms and to not, under any circumstances, send them to school sick. “Please help us continue in-person learning by not sending your student to school if they are sick or if they have been exposed to COVID-19,” Cross wrote. “If a family member in the household has COVID-19, students should be quarantined unless they are vaccinated, have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, or the ill individual is fully isolated from the student.” Anyone who has questions can call McLoughlin at 541-842-3720. The announcement about partial virtual learning comes after Ashland High School went into virtual learning near the beginning of the month and won’t be expected to return to an in-person format until next Monday. Butte Falls Charter School returned to in-person learning this past Monday after an outbreak in COVID-19 cases caused a two-week shutdown of campus. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.