DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools is among the thousands of school districts scrambling to determine how to both teach kids and protect them from the surge of coronavirus cases across the country.
Two DMPS summer day care programs were abruptly shut down this week following several positive COVID-19 tests. District officials announced that the MetroKids program at both Hubbell and Greenwood elementary schools are closed until at least Aug. 9.
The district said the situation will be monitored and enhanced cleaning will take place while the programs are closed.
Tuesday night, the district board approved a virtual learning option for its elementary students. The new option means the district will go into the new school year with an online class option for all grades, since it already offered virtual learning for students in sixth through 12th grades.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Watch: Here's how central Iowa schools are planning to return to school this year