Barrington school officials plan to focus on quarantining classrooms or clusters rather than closing down entire schools, as Covid-19 cases statewide continue to increase.

An email to parents of Barrington students late last week detailed the situation.

"We continue to monitor the situation closely, along with our ability to safely staff our schools, and are focusing on restricting the decision to quarantine classrooms or clusters rather than full schools based on our capacity and RIDE and RIDOH guidance at this time," stated the email.

On Monday morning, leaders of the state's teachers unions called for “a holiday pause” to in-person student learning and a move to distance learning for K-12 students statewide by Nov. 23.

National Education Association Rhode Island President Larry Purtill said that a temporary move to statewide distance learning would serve as a "common-sense critical step" in driving down incidence rates.

“Rhode Island is experiencing record high number of cases and an overwhelmed Department of Health, despite their best efforts, is falling behind with the required contact tracing that ensures effective quarantining and overall safety of students and educators,” Mr. Purtill said. “Districts already burdened and stretched thin are not equipped, nor do they have the capacity, to take on this duty.”

In Barrington, school officials have not seen any spread within the schools themselves, and state officials have identified small social gatherings where people have not been wearing face coverings or observing social distancing as a main reason for the recent increase in cases.

"We have not seen any spread within the schools and thank our teachers, staff, parents, and students for following our protocols," stated the email from Barrington schools.

Some of the critical safety precautions practiced in Barrington schools include mask wearing, social distancing, regular disinfecting and monitoring air ventilation inside the school buildings.

The school district also announced a change to student mask-breaks. There will no longer be mask breaks for the entire class at the same time, rather students can take their masks off one at a time.

"A student may take their mask off outside when more than 6 feet away from their class, but not all students at the same time," stated the email. "Outdoor breaks and learning continue to be encouraged and supported as a standard part of the day for all students."