Parents in the South Butler County School District were reminded Monday to remain vigilant in protecting their families against COVID-19 so the district can continue educating students in the classroom.

Superintendent David Foley sent a letter saying the district has only had a few cases of COVID-19, and thus far, none have become severely ill or required hospitalization.

“In spite of that good news, we are seeing an increasing number of students and staff members reporting COVID exposures,” Foley said.

He is pleased that most of the families who have been exposed have reported it to the district and not waited for the state Department of Health to do so.

“This has given us the opportunity to begin identifying and notifying close contacts, even before the health department handled the case,” Foley said in the letter. “This has undoubtedly helped to contain the spread within our school community.”

But Foley cautioned that in recent weeks, cases have been on the rise in the county and state.

“Keep your guard up,” Foley advised. “When your child is identified as having been exposed, it is for the benefit of your child, your family members, other students and the school community as a whole that they quarantine and self-monitor.”

Not doing so, he said, puts more people at risk of not only contracting the virus, but of schools being prevented from remaining open.

“As I have professed before, I believe that students learn best in front of a teacher where they can ask questions and interact,” Foley said. “While we have technology to provide alternative instruction, that is not ideal and doesn't work well for every child.”

He said while South Butler's four schools will remain open for as long as feasible, identifying those who have come into contact with a child who has tested positive is not quick or easy and can take a significant amount of time.

“This is why I believe the day will likely come when I have to concede to closing one or more buildings for some period of time,” Foley said.

Should that occur, instruction would continue in the online platform with parents assisting their students with lessons.

“With this in mind, I again ask that, as a family, you continue to be cautious about large group gatherings, follow the mask and hygiene recommendations and report to your child's principal or school nurse any exposures they might have or any positive COVID tests so we can respond immediately,” Foley said.

The most important action, Foley said, is for families of children who have been contacted and asked to quarantine because of exposure model positivity, to observe the student's health, report any changes in their condition and assist with school work if possible.

The schools districts in Butler County that have closed completely are Moniteau, Allegheny-Clarion Valley and the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.

Ryan Gloyer Middle School in Seneca Valley, secondary schools in Butler Area, Mars High School and Karns City High School are also closed as of Friday.

Foley sent a letter to parents on Thursday to report a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19.

The teacher works with small groups of students at the primary and high schools and has not been on campus since Monday. Students and staff who were in contact with the teacher were being notified Thursday.

Foley thanked the teacher, whom he did not name, for remaining vigilant and contacting the district about the positive test result.

“Quick action truly helps in containing the spread of the illness,” Foley said.