WAITSBURG—As the number of COVID-19 cases associated with local schools dropped this week, the Dayton and Waitsburg School District superintendents made the calls to bring back in-person learning starting February 1.

The Dayton School District announced the switch to remote learning for all secondary students on January 25 after the rapid rise of student cases in grades 6-12, paired with many of the staff and teachers out sick, forced the decision. The district continues to monitor COVID-19 cases in the school and community.

As of Monday, January 31, there were 19 active cases in Columbia County, down from 55 last week.

The Waitsburg School District announced the transition to remote learning on January 26, citing similar reasons as their neighbor across the county line. After COVID-19 cases had increased for students and teachers and a lack of substitute teachers, the district sent all students back to online instruction for three days.

Superintendent Mark Pickel said that there were up to six confirmed cases and close contacts associated with the school community. Still, he expected everyone to be back in the building by the end of the week.

Both schools returned to in-person learning on February 1.

Dayton-Waitsburg Athletics has been cleared to resume their regular schedules. The high school basketball teams will close the season by hosting River View High School on Thursday, February 3, and Warden High School on Saturday, February 5. Visit http://www.dwsports.org for up-to-date schedules.

Thursday’s game against River View will be Senior Night at the Dayton High School Gym. Head out and give outgoing players a little extra support at one of their last home games.

Middle School Girls basketball will have their first game of the season on Wednesday in Waitsburg against Liberty Christian Walla Walla, starting at 4 p.m.