Copper Basin schools will move forward with “full, in-person instruction” for the 2020-21 school year beginning August 10.
“Our plan is to have full, in-person instruction every day for the upcoming school year,” Dr. James Jones, Director of Schools for Polk County, said. “We plan to continue on a regular schedule for the rest of the school year.
“Obviously, these plans will all depend on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and any announcements made by the governor or the State Department of Education.”
The following health guidelines will be implemented:
•Staff will take student temperatures as they enter the building.
•Students will be encouraged to wear masks, but they will not be required to do so.
•School classrooms and buses will be sanitized often and surfaces will be cleaned.
•Students who are sick or have a fever will be moved to a safe, isolated area until parents can pick them up.
•Students will use hand sanitizer, wash hands often, and teachers will have sanitizing wipes available in the classrooms.
•Students will go outside for recess, and playground equipment will be sanitized regularly.
These decisions were a result of a parent survey that has been posted.
“Over a thousand responses have been received, and overwhelmingly, the feedback has been to have school as close to ‘normal’ as possible,” Jones said.
Those who do not wish to send children back to school should reach out to the principal of their child’s school to discuss possible alternatives.
Over the past few months, supervisors and principals have met twice a week to discuss uncertainties that may arise.
“We have taken advice from the medical community, other school systems and the Tennessee Department of Education,” Jones said.
Three scenarios have been considered:
•A full, regular, in-person school that is familiar;
•An AB schedule with half of the students attending one day and the other half attending virtually, then swapping out; and
•Full virtual learning with students at home while teachers deliver instruction on the internet.