Schley County Schools

December 4, 2020 Dear Parents, This week marked an impact of Covid 19 that had been avoided since resuming in-person instruction. We saw an increase in high school cases and quarantines but were affected most significantly in our school staff. As a relatively small system with shared resources, we will be vulnerable to this type of impact. Please be assured that we have and will continue to make notifications as quickly as we receive them. In-class instruction is our preferred mode of instruction but we have to ensure a safe environment in which that can take place. Please continue to help us stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of December 4, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 1014 (students) + 143 (staff) = 1157 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 3 + 1 = 4 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 58 + 7 = 65 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

Schley County Parents and Students, Due to the staffing shortage caused by the recent number of positive COVID tests and quarantines, we will have a temporary closure for the week of December 7-11. Instruction will shift to distance learning beginning December 4th. Each school will be posting more detailed information for their parents and students. Teachers will be utilizing Remind, Seesaw, and Microsoft Teams to connect with students and parents. Information and materials will be provided specific to each grade or class. It is extremely important that all students participate and parents monitor their efforts as we prepare for end of semester grading. Students will have assignments to complete that are necessary for final 9-week averages. Teachers will be available 8:00 AM-3:00 PM each day. Use your Remind accounts or email for any needs or questions you may have. While each grade and or class will vary, teachers will be making contact with students and will be available at the posted time to assist as needed. As you continue to complete assigned tasks at home, we will make every effort to prepare for students to return December 14th. Lunch and breakfast delivery will not be available for the week of December 3-11. In-person school closures do not affect Edgenuity students or their assignments. Edgenuity students should continue working daily. While we would prefer to be open as usual, we will make the best of this interruption and continue to pray for our students’ and staff’s well-being. COVID continues to try our resolve, but we will endure this together to make the best of the situation for our students. Brian Hall Schley County Schools

We have just been made aware of a positive COVID case within our food service staff. This case, along with the resulting quarantines, will not allow us to be open. Therefore, the elementary and the middle/high will be closed Thursday and Friday. We will update you with further details as we make decisions tomorrow. Please continue to check our FB page and website for updates. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these difficult challenges.

Schley County Schools will continue in person instruction for the second semester beginning January 5, 2021. Although we believe this learning option is best, a virtual learning option for current virtual students may be extended for the second semester of 2020-2021 for those students who successfully completed their current online curriculum. These students may apply to continue with the Edgenuity platform by completing the following application at https://5il.co/n90h. If you plan to continue as a virtual student, please complete and return the virtual form prior to December 4th. If a student does not apply, we will assume they are returning to in person instruction January 5, 2021.

November 20, 2020 Dear Parents, I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving break. Enjoy your vacation time but do not let your guard down and neglect to maintain your safety protocols. This virus is far from gone! It will continue to alter our schedules and events if cases show a large increase. Please make wise decisions for your holiday gatherings as well as any events that you attend. Our goal is for everyone to return safely as we make the brief push towards Christmas. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Please continue to help us stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of November 20, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 1014 (students) + 143 (staff) = 1157 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 2 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 15 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

Schley County Schools will continue in person instruction for the second semester beginning January 5, 2021. Although we believe this learning option is best, a virtual learning option for current virtual students may be extended for the second semester of 2020-2021 for those students who successfully completed their current online curriculum. These students may apply to continue with the Edgenuity platform by completing the following application at https://5il.co/n90h. If plan to continue as a virtual student, please complete and return the virtual form prior to December 4th. If a student does not apply, we will assume they are returning to in person instruction January 5, 2021.

Parents, If your child is issued a laptop then it is strongly recommended that you pay a $10 insurance fee that covers accidental damage or repair items. If you have not yet completed the form and paid the $10 fee, the form can be found at https://5il.co/n7e4. Please complete and return to your child's school.

November 13, 2020 Dear Parents, As we wrap up our second week of November, I want to say thank you to our teachers for their daily efforts. They have been asked to adapt to a number of changes that would never occur simultaneously in any given year. They have continued to try and make the best of each situation. I greatly appreciate their hard work for our students. Our task as a community is going to continue to be challenging as cooler temperatures move more activities indoors for longer periods of time. Spacing will not always be favorable in each setting. Mask wearing is important and the best option we have to sustain protection for indoor group settings. The inconvenience or uncomfortable nature of wearing one is shared by all, but it is something each person can choose to do in order to keep others safe. Please be reminded that afternoon assistance remains available for virtual students at each school. If you have questions or need specific individual help, message your assigned teacher to make use of this extra assistance. Please continue to help us stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of November 13, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 1014 (students) + 143 (staff) =1157 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 12 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

Elementary Virtual Students and Parents, We would like to notify you that Pathblazer®, Hybridge®, and Odyssey® solutions will be down for system maintenance from Friday, December 11 ,at 8:00 pm EST through Sunday, December 13, at 8:00 pm EST.

November 6, 2020 Dear Parents, Thank you for the precautions you have taken when symptoms of illness appear, the timely communication with the schools, and for exercising good judgement. There were several good examples reported this week and last week from each building. We certainly appreciate the quick responses and the continued communications so that our best efforts can be made to ensure everyone’s well-being. Be prepared! Flu season is upon us and our continued sanitizing efforts will be maintained. Afternoon assistance for virtual students remains available at each school. If you have questions or need specific individual assistance, message your assigned teacher to make use of this extra help. As always, please help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of November 6, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 1014 (students) + 143 (staff) =1157 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 6 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

Dear Parents, Early this morning we were made aware of a disturbing social media post from a high school student. Local law enforcement was notified, along with the student’s parents. The student was met upon arrival to campus and was turned over to the sheriff’s office for further investigation. Thanks to parents who promptly notified the school. This situation was responded to in a rapid manner. Initiation of our safety protocols and involvement of local law enforcement ensured that all students and staff were safe and secure. Brian Hall Superintendent, Schley County School

We are currently accepting applications to work as a Substitute Teacher. Interested applicants should fill out the application at https://5il.co/mpq4 and return it to the Schley County Board of Education.

October 30, 2020 Dear Parents, As we are set to close out another month of in-person and virtual instruction, I would encourage everyone not to relax any of your efforts to stay safe. It is easy to be comfortable and complacent when the incidents are low. We want our favorable numbers to continue and for the three week stretch leading into Thanksgiving to be a good one. Afternoon assistance for virtual students remains available at each school. If you have questions or need specific individual assistance, message your assigned teacher to make use of this extra help. As always, please help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of October 30, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 1014 (students) + 143 (staff) =1157 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 0 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

October 26, 2020 Dear Parents, Last week was a very productive one! Award recognitions, outside sports events, and bus safety week took place. Thank you for your efforts to make each of these possible and to allow them to occur in a safe manner. Continue to take the basic steps listed in the reminders below. Everyone working together improves our chances for positive outcomes! Virtual students are to be reminded of the available afternoon assistance at each school. If you have questions or need specific assistance, message your assigned teacher to make use of this extra help. As always, please help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of October 26, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 1014 (students) + 143 (staff) =1157 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 1 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

Parents,

Due to Covid-19, our annual Title I Meeting and Student Success presentation will be held virtually. Click here to view the 11-minute presentation. Make sure the volume is up.

If you have questions, you can email jlangley@schleyk12.org.

October 16, 2020 Dear Parents, We are very fortunate to report continued good news with low Covid numbers beginning the second 9 weeks period. Thank you for the continued efforts. Please do not relax your everyday safety measures to protect yourself and others. All of the current guidance and steps will also help us be more effective during cold and flu season. Virtual students are to be reminded of the available afternoon assistance at each school. If you have questions or need specific help, message your assigned teacher to make use of this extra time. As always, please help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly Working together gives us our best chance to stay safe. To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active Covid-19 cases reported by our system to DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of October 16, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 952 (students) + 143 (staff) =1095 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 1 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 1 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Sincerely, Brian Hall

October 9, 2020 Dear Parents, This week marks the end of the first 9 weeks of school. We very much appreciate the efforts that have gone into getting us this far successfully. A good portion of our virtual elementary students will be returning to in-person instruction on October 14th. For all other virtual students, you are encouraged to use the after school teachers that will be on duty. This can be utilized in several ways, you may contact your teacher through Remind or make contact with the school office for details on the after school hours provided. We also encourage everyone to be careful and follow the important steps to stay safe over fall break. Have fun and enjoy your days off Monday and Tuesday! When we return, help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly Everyone can do their part by taking regular precautions. To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported to our system and DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of October 9, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 952 (students) + 143 (staff) =1095 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 0 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Brian Hall

October 2, 2020 Dear Parents, In-person instruction continued this week for all grades along with scheduled extracurricular events. We are pleased to report that our county DPH report shows zero cases for the last two weeks! This is welcomed news and we certainly want this to continue. Numbers can change quickly and it is very easy to become complacent with safety measures. Be reminded that both June and early July had two week periods with low case numbers. Stay vigilant! Continue to help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly Everyone can do their part by taking regular precautions. To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported to our system and DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of October 2, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 956 (students) + 143 (staff) =1093 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 0 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Brian Hall

September 25, 2020 Dear Parents, We have been very fortunate to have another full week of instruction this week. Several out of class activities and events were able to take place for elementary, middle, and high school students. It was especially nice to see these events take place safely. Our county and state numbers continue to look favorable as we continue to encourage everyone to remain steady in their efforts. Continue to help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly Everyone can do their part by taking regular precautions. To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported to our system and DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of September 25, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 956 (students) + 143 (staff) =1093 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 1 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Brian Hall

September 18, 2020 Dear Parents, This week marked the return of all grades for in-person instruction. We had a very good week! Our students and staff have done an outstanding job. Please do not ease up on any of the necessary tasks it takes to continue this effort together. Help us to stay safe and healthy by: • Masking up • Staying home when sick • Physically distancing as much as possible • Sanitizing hands regularly Everyone can do their part by taking regular precautions. To ensure you are provided with the most recent information, please see the weekly status report below. This information provides the total number of active COVID-19 cases reported to our system and DPH, as well as the total number of quarantines as a result. COVID-19 Status Report as of September 18, 2020 at 4 p.m. Total Number of In-Person Students and Staff: 950 (students) + 143 (staff) =1093 Total Number of Active COVID-19 Cases: 0 Total Number of Active Quarantines Due to Close Contact: 6 Thank you for your continued support of our schools! Brian Hall