The rapid rise in COVID cases is putting school districts across the region on high alert.

Some have even returned to remote learning ahead of the holiday break.

Students leaving the Carmel High School building Thursday brought everything they'll need for remote learning until the new year.

It's a dauntingly familiar feeling to report on stories like this again because Carmel isn't the only one caught in the crosshairs of COVID again.

This time though, the speed of the spread is setting off alarm bells.

Mount Vernon's Lincoln Elementary School was also forced to close its doors to in-person learning, but just for Thursday due to climbing COVID cases.

A spokesperson for Lincoln Elementary School says it's preparing protocols with no imminent plans to keep this school closed any longer than Thursday.

In Greenburgh, 18% of the student body and dozens of staff are under quarantine due to positive tests or exposure.

Many district leaders say remote learning is not the first option they’re turning to as they work to try and uphold the overarching goal of keeping students in the classroom as best as possible.