A post on Timber Creek’s Twitter account from principal Kelly Paduano on Wednesday explained the school’s decision and stated that contact tracing had connected this surge in infection to “community events.”
What sort of “community event” is Principal Paduano referring to, you ask? Well, according to WESH, it was a Sweet 16 party in Avalon Park.During a press briefing by Dr. Raul Pino and Orange County health officials on Thursday afternoon, this particular birthday party was brought up as a warning to parents against throwing birthday bashes, with officials noting that attendees of the party go to several area high schools.
Out of 30 people who attended that party, 15 later tested positive for COVID-19, according to Florida Department of Health contact tracing.
On-campus instruction at Timber Creek High will resume Nov. 5, and the school will be cleaned and disinfected in the meantime. All extracurricular activities are canceled except for football. Free COVID-19 testing will be made available to students and staff.
Timber Creek is now the third public school in Orange County to temporarily close its doors and move all classes online due to COVID-19, following West Orange High School and Olympia High School.
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This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2020.