Preschool temporarily closes after student tests positive for virus
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 10 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | August 31, 2020 1:00 AM
A student at the Whitefish Community School has tested positive for COVID-19 forcing the school to close for two weeks.
Johnna Knoerr, director of the school, on Monday said the school was notified the day before that a student had tested positive for the virus.
“The staff are quartining for two weeks and we’re closing the school,” she said. “We’re hoping to reopen the school in two weeks after a deep cleaning, but our board is set to review our COVID plan and decide.”
The Whitefish Community School is a nonprofit preschool that serves children ages 18 months through age 6.
There are 24 students enrolled in the school, but only 12 attend at one time.
Knoerr said the Flathead City-County Health Department is contacting families of the students to determine who might need to be tested or will need to quarantine.
“Staff members who are symptomatic are also being tested,” she said.
Those with questions, can contact the school at [email protected].
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