The Clarke County School District administrative offices and Athens Community Career Academy joint parking lot remains empty on July 22. CCSD announced that all instruction will be transitioning to an online format in today’s press release due to increasing COVID-19 cases in Athens. “Regular day-to-day operations for in-person learning are complex and challenging. This pandemic is unprecedented and drastically changes the requirements for how to transport, feed, and educate students safely,” CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas stated in the press release. “We recognize the best place of students to learn is in class, and the district is working to resume in-person instruction as soon as possible.” Photo by Maya Cornish
The Clarke County School District announced in a press release today that when CCSD schools return on Sept. 8, they will be taught virtually.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news (that) we will begin the school year in a 100% online environment. This difficult decision was based on our recognition of the effects of COVID-19 and the commitment to the safety and wellness of students and staff,” CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Xernona Thomas stated in the press release.
For CCSD parent Andrea Farnham, who has two children in elementary school, the transition to a virtual teaching format is concerning due to the difficulties in homeschooling her children.
“Financially, that is not an option for (my spouse and I to quit) our jobs (in order to teach our kids),” Farnham said. “These are just my initial frustrations with the district being so ignorant about how online is not viable for elementary school kids who need a parent to facilitate. Not everyone can have a parent home to do that and ignoring that is (ignoring) the needs of a very (sizable) percentage of our school district whose parents and caregivers all work (full-time).”
The original goal of the CCSD was to not be completely reliant on virtual instruction and have some students have in-person instruction. Instead the CCSD will focus on making sure everyone is prepared for learning virtually, according to CCSD Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins in today’s press release.
The original school reopening press release from July 7.
“Teachers return to work on July 27, 2020 (virtually and will focus on virtual learning preparation, including core content (ELA, mathematics, etc.), supplemental content for remediation and acceleration, and social-emotional lessons,” Gaskins stated in the press release.
CCSD parent Katie Johnson has concerns for both the children in CCSD, as well as her own children.
“I’m glad it was announced early so everyone can plan. (Although,) I’m worried about kids getting food and internet. I’m worried about my junior who is dual enrolled not getting her college credits. My freshman– I can’t even begin,” Johnson wrote in a Facebook comment. “My friends that are also in the (CCSD) community, I just want them to know I love them and support them.”
