August 14, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Although there will be “bumps in the road” Director of Schools Patrick Cripps is calling on parents, students, and faculty to be patient as DeKalb County Schools re-open Monday, August 17.
Because the first day is for student registration, buses will not run Monday. Buses will run for a full day of classes on Wednesday, August 19. Most students will be attending school in-person but many have signed up for remote learning due to COVID-19 concerns.
The scheduled re-opening had been set for August 3 but that had to be changed after a school system employee tested positive for COVID-19 forcing that person and fellow employees who may have been exposed to be quarantined.
“We are starting back to school on Monday, August 17. We know there will be bumps in the road as we start this endeavor whether it be health or academic issues we face. We will be doing on campus and remote learning. We have prepared with computers for everyone and we will be teaching students on a platform from home and in our schools,” said Director Cripps during Thursday night’s monthly Board of Education meeting.
“I want to emphasize the word “patience”. Any system that has started back to school has already shown there will be bumps in the road. There will be times when people get upset with maybe how the computers are working or getting work back and forth. We must remember our schools will be split right now with some coming into the house (on campus) and we have some who will be staying at the house (remote learning from home). We will have teachers who will be teaching both ways. We ask that you (parents) work with our faculty, staff, and administrators and give them an opportunity to fix any issue at hand,” said Director Cripps.
The Board last month voted to implement a mask mandate and that remains the policy.
What the mandate means is that masks must be worn on school buses and in the hallways and common areas in the school buildings. This applies to students as well as school faculty and staff. Masks may be removed in the classroom if students and staff are able to social distance. The Board plans to re-evaluate the mandate periodically.
“I know everyone does not agree with the mask mandate but please do not take it out on the administration. They are not the ones who made the rule. They are just the ones who have to enforce it. Their job is to teach your kids and keep them safe. We have given you a great option to do remote learning if you don’t like the mask mandate,” said Director Cripps.
The Director of Schools and Board of Education have issued some reminders for employees, parents, and students.
PARENTS:
Each day before leaving your home you should check your child’s temperature and ask the following questions:
*Have you been in close contact with a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19?
*Have you had an unusual cough or shortness of breath?
*Have you had a sore throat or other flu like symptoms?
*Have you had a new loss of taste or smell?
*Have you had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
If your child can answer yes to any of these above questions or has a fever, please do not send your child to school that day.
Employees should also answer the above questions.
COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS:
10 DAY SICK WINDOW:
Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves at home for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms or 10 days from the date their test was done if they never developed symptoms, Fever must be gone and they must be feeling better for at least 24 hours.
14 DAY QUARANTINE:
Anyone who has been within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for 10 minutes or more must quarantine themselves at home for 14 days from the last time they were with that person. These time periods do not change with a doctor’s note or with a negative test.
Do not return to school if you live in a household with someone who is awaiting test results
MASKS:
Effective August 17, 2020, all students, staff and visitors to DeKalb County Schools are required to wear a face covering when entering the building. These are required in all common areas. If you chose for your child not to wear a mask or face covering you need to contact your child’s school to sign your child up for remote learning.