DeKalb County Schools finalizing plans for August return of students

DeKalb County Schools finalizing plans for August return of students

In about a month and a half - some students at dekalb county schools will head back to the classroom to start the 2020 - 2021 school year.

Waay 31's sophia borrelli spoke with the dekalb county superintendent as the district finalizes plans for the fall.

Dekalb county schools superintendent jason barnett told me the district plans on starting school with students in the classroom on august 7th."

Barnett said the district will follow the state guidelines and offer three learning options for students.

Traditional - where students attend school in class.

Virtual - through the dekalb virtual academy.

And remote learning where a student going to school can easily transition to online learning at home for a certain amount of time.

Jason barnett, dekalb county schools superintendent: "in case we have to have a school closure, for a period whether it be an outbreak of covid-19 or whatever, they have to quarantine or something, we will transition to what we are calling a remote learning environment and that will be where that traditional teacher who is their normal teacher will providing some level of support for them while they are in a remote environment learning from home."

Barnett says the school district is taking the necessary steps to sanitize the buildings and - even before students get to school.

Jason barnett, dekalb county schools superintendent: "between each route, each bus will be sanitized, so that will be after the morning route and before the evening route and then between the evening route and morning route.

Barnett said masks will be optional and schools are still trying to figure out the best plan for meals.

Jason barnett, dekalb county schools superintendent: "each campus has different cafeteria sizes, enrollment sizes and things like that, so it's not necessarily a one size fits all but we will be working with each of our local schools and make sure our kids are adequately and properly fed, in a safe, sanitary environment."

Barnett says he is still waiting on the numbers for people who want to enroll in their virtual academy to see what class sizes will be.

His message to parents - jason barnett, dekalb county schools superintendent: "we're going to make this a good school year.

There are many challenges and many obstacles, but where great challenges and great obstacles, comes great opportunity."

In dekalb county - sophia borrelli waay 31