Union County Schools establish end of year plans
Board of Education, State & National April 2, 2020
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Schools issued a statement concerning the end of the school year and parents/ students’ options from May 11 to May 22.
Students who have demonstrated proficiency in their course work by May 8 will have the option to continue their educational enrichment from May 11 until May 22. Otherwise, their online instruction will end on Friday, May 8.
However, students who need remedial assistance will receive “individualized instruction” through the end of the year to prepare for the upcoming year.
Students will be notified of their proficiency by 3 p.m. on May 8. Upcoming teacher in-service days are May 7 and 8, so some students last full-school day will be May 6, unless their education continues through to May 22.
Principals will be sending out more information in the coming days and weeks. Each student and will receive specialized curriculum to ensure standards are met.
“Our team has worked several weeks to put together a curriculum plan that will best serve all students and families in our community as we finish the year out together,” said Superintendent John Hill in his published statement.
Statement from Superintendent John Hill concerning the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
More information about Gov. Kemp’s decision to close schools below:
ATLANTA, Ga – Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Executive Order 04.01.20.01 to close all public-school facilities through the end of the school year.
Kemp announced the order on April 1, along with his decision to implement a shelter in place directive until April 13. He first closed public K-12 schools on March 31 and had since extended the order until April 24.
The order applies to all elementary, secondary, and post-secondary public education facilities in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia communities. As of April 1, the week of April 23 is predicted to be the tipping point in the Georgia outbreak.
Online learning will continue, and local school districts can determine the final day of classes. Also, faculty and staff can return to their classrooms once school districts determine it is safe for employees to enter the campus.
Georgia Department of Public Health and Department of Education are taking measures to ensure the nutrition and safety needs of students are being met during this time.
A testing waiver for public schools was approved earlier in the year. No student will take Georgia Milestones.
This order does not apply to the University System of Georgia or the Technical College System of Georgia. The Chancellor of the University System and Commissioner of the Technical College System reserve the right to make decisions about their respective campuses across Georgia.
Keeping children entertained during Coronavirus
Community, Education March 14, 2020
UNION COUNTY, Ga – As a precaution against COVID-19, children across Union County, and much of North Georgia, are home for the week and potentially even longer. For parents or guardians looking for ways to keep their children entertained, the community is offering some options.
Those individuals responsible for children are advised to create a schedule in order to make the transition easier. However, don’t feel pressured to stick to do. Students obviously need to complete their COLD packets for the week, but structure will assist in keeping children on-track and focused.
Sample COVID-19 schedule, courtesy of Facebook parents.
Also, a child’s COLD packet might not take up an entire day, so it’s good to have options ready for that possibility.
Of course, it’s also important to keep children physically active when possible, if the day is nice, make time to play in the yard or create an activity space in the house.
Crafting is another way to keep children entertained if parents, guardians, or babysitters have the materials readily available.
As equally important is alone time, if everyone is stuck at home, it could quickly devolve into fight night. To prevent that from happening, try to schedule a time for everyone to separate for an hour or two. This way children and parents or guardians can entertain themselves in the manner they see fit.
Some additional online learning options are available outschool.com covers a wide range of topics and brainpop.com focuses on STEM courses. Scholastic is also offering 20 days of free learning courses for children.
Storyline Online is a free literacy program where celebrities read to K-5 children and associated activities.
Local options
Blairsville Dance is offering online streaming classes to their students and opening several to the community for free. Children two and up can sign up, just follow the link.
The Art Department Studio is offering an in-person art camp for children from 9 to 13 for $35 per day from March 16 to 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The businesses said a 10 a.m. drop off is fine and an early pick-up with prior notification. Parents or guardians are asked to send children with lunch, snacks, and drinks and to not enroll a child who is feeling sick.
“We have soap and water and kids will be washing hands regularly, but feel free to send them with hand sanitizer if you wish. Also, we must be notified of any allergies. A parent/guardian will be requested to read/fill out/sign a form with your information. For info or to sign up, call the studio at (706)225-9713 or stop by! We are in Victoria’s plaza by the movie theatre/bowling alley. Thank you and stay healthy!” – The Art Department
Fetch Your News will continue to update this article with more opportunities as they become available.
Public K-12 and Secondary Schools closed March 18 to 31
Announcements, State & National March 16, 2020
Atlanta, GA – In accordance with newly issued federal guidance, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 3.16.20.01 closing all public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary public schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020, to March 31, 2020.
“To keep our students, teachers, and administrators safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I am ordering the closure of all public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020, to March 31, 2020,” said Governor Kemp. “This measure is critical to reducing local transmission in communities across our state, and I ask Georgians to continue to follow best practices – washing their hands regularly, isolating the elderly and chronically ill, and avoiding large events if possible – in the days and weeks ahead.”
For updates on COVID-19, follow @GeorgiaEMA, @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Twitter and @GEMA.OHS, @GaDPH and @GovKemp on Facebook. For more information, visit the DPH’s coronavirus webpage at https://dph.georgia.gov/