By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

After being closed since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Parkland schools opened for the 2020-21 term on Aug. 31 for instruction in the classroom.

Director of Community Relations and Development Nicole McGalla reported on the reactions of students and staff.

“Everyone was glad to be back,” McGalla said.

“The kids were great with compliance. It was fantastic.”

She said high schoolers were impressed with the cleaning measures in the cafeteria, as areas were disinfected between each lunch sitting.

Parkland is using a hybrid format with students in school some days and other days having online instruction at home.

About 30 percent of Parkland pupils have chosen to receive all their instruction electronically.

McGalla said if anyone in the school appears to be in need of COVID-19 testing, the individual is referred to his or her family physician.

District representatives announced Sept. 6 a positive COVID-19 test was found in someone who attended the high school on Sept. 2 and 3.

McGalla said the Department of Health is responsible for all contact tracing.

She said district administrators assist public health officials in tracking individuals who may have had close contact, defined as within six feet for 15 minutes or longer, with the affected person.

The Department of Health then notifies them with instructions to quarantine.

McGalla said after the positive case of COVID-19 was found, everything was cleaned and disinfected, and the building was deemed safe for occupancy.