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White County Middle School’s Dawn Powell runs through a lineup of fellow teachers on her way to celebrate with WCMS Principal Nara Allen during festivities a the school system’s back to school pep rally Aug. 2. (Photo/Wayne Hardy)
It’s that time.
Classes are scheduled to resume Friday, Aug. 6, for 4,123 White County School System students.
While a majority of those students will be attending in-person classes, there are 64 students in grades 6-12 enrolled in Digital Distance Learning for the upcoming school year, said School Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett.
As for why DDL is being offered to only students in grades 6-12, system Director of Student Accountability Jennifer King said that in the spring there was not a need for DDL for elementary students, and as of Aug. 3, there has only been one inquiry about it.
“Our reason for only offering 6-12 is twofold, research has shown that our elementary school-aged students haven’t reported the same number of cases as our middle and high school-aged students,” King said. “Also, our youngest students need the student to teacher interaction, and student-to-student interaction, for their educational, social, and emotional growth.”
In regards to COVID-19 precautions for this year, Burkett said the school system is going to follow guidance issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health. On Aug. 2, Georgia DPH issued new guidance for school system. Burkett said the school systems will notify parents of possible exposure, and the parents will be told they can still send their children to school, but to monitor them for symptoms of respiratory illness, which includes taking their temperature twice a day. If they show symptoms, then parents are asked to keep the student home. However, if there is a positive COVID test, then the person will have to follow guidelines issued by the Department of Public Health.