Following “incidents of extreme misconduct” last week, Elmore Stoutt High School activated its remote learning plan and told students to stay home on Friday.
However, students returned to class on Monday.
The decision to close the school was made by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports in consultation with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, according to a letter to parents and guardians that ESHS circulated last Thursday.
“After consultation, it was deemed necessary to implement this measure as our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” the letter stated. “By transitioning to remote learning on Friday, … we aim to provide a secure environment for all while facilitating the ongoing investigation by the police.”
Neither the school nor the ministry provided the public with further information about the nature of the “extreme misconduct,” and police did not respond to a request for comment.
On Sunday, however, the school circulated another letter to parents asking students to report to school on Monday morning, starting with a general assembly at 8:30 a.m. with ministry officials and other stakeholders.
Students, it added, were to be released at 3 p.m. Monday “to facilitate a series of meetings with specific parents and staff.”
