GUILDERLAND — Guilderland students in eighth through 12th grades will learn from home through the Christmas break, the school district announced on Tuesday.

The break begins on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Special-education students in self-contained classrooms and students in technical education classes will continue with in-person learning.

All students will return to their hybrid schedules — a combination of in-person and remote classes — on Monday, Jan. 4.

The move was necessitated by quarantine requirements to stem the spread of COVID-19, which caused staff shortages.

For the same reason, the district taught high school classes remotely before the Thanksgiving break and then again this month.

According to the state’s COVID-19 Report Card, as of Tuesday evening, the district has had 45 cases of COVID-19 this school year. 

Guilderland High School has had 28 cases with five in the last seven days. One of the 28 cases was of a teacher, six were of staff members, and 21 were of students, the tracker says.

Students who need meals between Dec.16 and 25 and have not already been receiving meals from the district should contact Megan Beck, the district’s food services director, at beckm@guilderlandschools.net.

“Please know that the district is committed to our school community’s health and safety, and we look forward to getting everyone back in-person after the break,” the announcement concludes. “Our ability to offer in-person school is dependent on the decisions individuals make outside of school. We all must continue to follow safety protocols such as wearing a mask, social distancing and avoiding indoor gatherings.”