Schools close over COVID-19

Work, meals available for students

- ANNE BERLEANT and LESLIE LANDRIGAN

PENINSULA/ISLAND— With the spread of COVID-19 across the United States and Maine, local schools have closed for at least a two-week period. Schools announced the temporary closure between Friday, March 13, and Monday, March 16.

Gov. Janet Mills’ Declaration of a State of Emergency on March 15 stops schools from providing classroom-based instruction to students in school but allows schools to remain open to authorized school staff.

Across the nine Union 93 and Union 76 pre-K through 8th grade schools, and Deer Isle-Stonington High School, work packets for students are available, either through pick up or drop off arrangements.

“Each school is dealing with this differently,” Union 93 Superintendent Mark Hurvitt said March 16. “Some schools deliver, some [have] pick-up at the school.”

Public schools are working to provide breakfast and meals to students, too.