Freeport Area High School students will switch to remote learning through Friday because of elevated covid cases and ongoing in-school transmission, district officials announced.

The shutdown impacts the high school only.

A covid dashboard on the district website confirms 31 active cases at the high school, 29 of them in students.

Exposures or close contacts have 298 students in or recommended for quarantine — half of the school’s enrollment.

At the middle school, there are 17 active student cases with 219 students in or recommended for quarantine. There are 445 students in grades six through eight.

Superintendent Ian Magness was not immediately available for comment.

In-person classes are expected to resume at the high school Tuesday.

The school board in December modified the district’s health and safety plan to make masks optional for students, staff and visitors.

Districtwide, there have been 302 confirmed cases of covid since the start of school. There are currently 74 active cases, 63 in students and 11 in staff.

District officials posted to Twitter that in-season sports practices and games, along with other activities, are permitted to go on as scheduled.

Freeport athletic director Shawn Stivenson said home basketball games for the girls varsity team against Highlands on Thursday and the boys varsity team against North Catholic on Friday are scheduled to be played.

Thursday’s girls game against Highlands will be varsity only at 6 p.m. The junior varsity game was canceled at Highlands’ request for reasons unrelated to the covid surge.

Sports/Activities during Remote Instruction (1/12-1/17)

In-season sports (practices & games) as well as activities (ex: musical) will be permitted to continue. Please check in with your Coach or Activity Sponsor for specific info related to schedules, protocols, etc.#besmart pic.twitter.com/WABS4W1NoR

— Freeport Athletics (@FASD_Athletics) January 11, 2022

Students should check with coaches or sponsors for specific guidelines or schedule changes.

High school families who would like access to free meals can submit a request form by 8 a.m. Wednesday at bit.ly/3tiQ75

Pickups will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. near the cafeteria loading dock at the high school, off South Pike Road. Students can collect three days’ worth of food at that time.

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