The Henry County Board of Education voted August 31 to approve a timeline to phase in the return of students to on-campus classes. As a result, the district reopened the selection window for families to choose whether to continue with remote learning or follow the new plan.
After voting in July to start the school year solely with remote learning, board members and other officials felt that the most recent health data makes it possible for families who want to send their children back to school to do so.
“We planned for two different scenarios from the start,” said Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. “Our scenario one did include the hybrid model of allowing families to choose either on-campus or remote learning for their child, but scenario two was a full remote start for all students based on the instance of unfavorable health metrics or government orders. The health metrics dictated that move back in July, but improving health metrics are allowing us to responsibly consider going back to the hybrid model.”
Numbers publicized at the board’s August 24 special called meeting showed positive trends for Henry County in that the rolling 14-day daily average of new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents has been steadily declining over the past month.
According to officials, of the new cases that have been confirmed in the last week alone, those numbers represent only 0.14 percent of the county’s population. One week later they declined even further, showing a daily average of only 16 new positive COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents representing 0.12 percent of a population of 239,866 residents.
Health metrics were discussed at the August 24 board meeting, and that data is available on the district’s website. At that meeting the board discussed a plan for a possible return to the classroom, which was approved a week later.
Phase 1 has remaining school-based employees returning by September 14 and all families confirming whether they wish to opt in for on-campus learning or remain in the remote program.
Phase 2 is a student orientation period the week of September 28 with students attending two days that week – Monday and Tuesday for those whose last names start with A through M, or Thursday and Friday for N through Z. This applies to all grades, pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Students in self-contained programs will return to campus Monday through Friday and continue with this through the remaining phases.
Phase 3 starts October 5, with all elementary and middle school students who have chosen on-campus learning back to a five-day schedule. High school students remain on a split schedule.
Phase 4 has all students who have chosen the on-campus option back every day. The date for that is yet to be determined.
For those students returning to campus, masks are required on HCS buses and campuses. Exceptions may apply for a student’s special circumstances, and mask-down zones may be determined at a local school. Masks also need to comply with dress code standards.
With the opening of campuses for students, the board will also be taking safety measures to re-open their meetings to in-person participation via advanced registration and teleconference during the first phase of the plan. More details will soon be shared regarding this process.
“The mitigating efforts that have been taken by our schools and community to provide a safe environment for students and staff have been extraordinary,” said Davis. “From our support to practice good hygiene and practice social distancing, to our preparations at all facilities in our school district, we are ready to welcome kids back. We know what our procedures and response will be in the event someone in our schools is confirmed with a COVID-19 case, and we have communicated and remain committed to keeping parents informed of all pertinent information with the greatest of care.”
