Plans for phasing back to in person learning were discussed at Tuesday afternoon’s Liberty County Board of Education meeting. In addition to students returning to class the LCSS has also announced the return of fall athletics in a press release.
The release stated, “After careful review of those trends in Liberty County and the surrounding areas, the system has determined that it is now possible to re-open all athletic activities effective September 9, 2020. Fall athletic activities will include: Volleyball, Football, Softball, Band, and Cheerleading. The safety of the Liberty County School System athletes continues to be a priority that we take seriously, and the LCSS coaches will follow all safety and health guidelines issued by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) for sporting events and practices. Decisions pertaining to schedules, practices and make-up games will be addressed through collaboration between high school principals, athletic directors and coaches.”
The release said that any questions or concerns should be directed to the school athletic directors. Bradwell Institute: Mrs. Stephanie Howard showard@liberty.k12.ga.us Liberty County High: Dr. Warnella Wilder wwilder@liberty.k12.ga.us
During the Board of Education’s meeting Sept. 8, the board outlined their plan to start bringing students back to school.
According to LCSS Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Susan Avant, all staff will return to school buildings to continue virtual learning. On Sept. 21, the LCSS will start to welcome back certain Special Education students and students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and grades 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 12 as well as all the students attending Horizons Learning Center.
On Sept. 28 students in grades 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11 will return to in-person classes.
Avant said students that remain in virtual learning at the parents’ request, will continue to have their attendance taken through CANVAS. She added they plan to enforce distancing as much as possible and have plans to clean and sanitize classrooms and surfaces often. Building inspections will be conducted by designated personnel before opening of school to staff. Staff will be provided masks, face shields and hand sanitizer.
Students and staff will be required to wear a mask or face covering in the school buildings.
She said thermometers have been provided to each school and anyone entering the building will be scanned. She said they’ve serviced all the LCSS air conditioning units to meet the established safety protocols and installed wall mounted hand sanitizer station at the schools.
Avant said they’ve established holding rooms at the schools where students who are showing symptoms of COVID can be placed as they wait to be picked up by their parent or guardian.
Avant said that bus routing for all returning students will be complete by Sept. 11 and the schedules will be posted on the LCSS website by Sept. 15. The buses will be sanitized after each morning and afternoon route.
Breakfast and lunch will be free of charge to in-person and virtual students until Dec. 18. Meals will be eaten in the cafeteria and also in the classrooms to maintain social distancing.
Avant said families wishing to have one or more of their students continuing in virtual learning will need to complete a Virtual Distance Form located on the LCSS website and turn those in by Sept. 17. One form must be completed per student.
Dr. Perry said the staff and administrators will work on plans on how students will switch classes in between learning blocks. Avant said in some cases it will be the teachers who transition between blocks, leaving the students in the classrooms.
More on this as the story develops.