Eastern peninsula schools will continue remote learning through Oct. 28

Eastern peninsula schools include Moose Pass School, Seward Elementary, Seward Middle School and Seward High School.

This graphic shows the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District risk levels associated with different numbers of new COVID-19 cases. (Image courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

This graphic shows the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District risk levels associated with different numbers of new COVID-19 cases. (Image courtesy Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

Remote learning for eastern peninsula schools will continue through Oct. 28, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced Friday out of “an abundance of precaution.” Eastern peninsula schools include Moose Pass School, Seward Elementary, Seward Middle School and Seward High School.

Eastern peninsula schools transitioned to 100% remote learning on Oct. 9 after entering high-risk level on Oct. 6. The eastern peninsula is at high risk when there are eight or more cases in the last 14 days, medium risk when there are four to seven cases in the last 14 days, and low risk when there are three or fewer cases in the last 14 days.

On Thursday, the City of Seward announced a new positive COVID-19 test result at a local health care facility. The eastern peninsula had no resident cases reported by the state Friday and one Saturday for a total of nine cases in the last 14 days.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

According to the announcement, the eastern peninsula will lose four cases from its 14-day case count over the weekend, however delays in test results sometimes mean positive cases take longer to show up on the state’s report. Announcing that classes will remain remote on Friday will prevent the district from reopening to on-site learning on Monday and having to close again Tuesday if new cases are reported.

The week of Oct. 26 is already a short week for the district due to parent-teacher conferences resulting in no classes on Oct. 29 or 30.

In the announcement, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent John O’Brien said that the more interaction people have together, the higher transmission rates will get.

“This current acceleration is the result of people’s choices about social gatherings outside of schools and the workplace,” O’Brien said. “These choices are the main drivers of this widespread transmission we are seeing. In order for our students to be able to get back to in-person-onsite-at-school learning we need our communities to wear face coverings in public spaces, not attend large indoor social gatherings, keep their social bubbles small, and practice proven pandemic safety precautions.”

When schools operate 100% remotely, Get-It and Go Meals are free for all students and can be picked up at schools between 12 and 1 p.m. Get-It and Go Meals will not be available for pickup on Oct. 29 or Oct. 30 due to parent-teacher conferences.

According to the announcement, a decision about whether or not eastern peninsula schools will reopen for on-site learning for the week of Nov. 2 will be made next week.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai wildlife refuge seeking information on missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

Most Read