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Here are school districts' plans for back to school in the fall

11Alive is following the developments and is providing a look at district plans.

ATLANTA — Summer break is underway for most students in the metro area, but with the spring semester majorly disrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic parents are wondering what the fall semester will look like.

Some schools are still trying to develop their back-to-school plans - the big factor being what the pandemic will look like post-summer break.

RELATED: Georgia will waive standardized testing for schools next year

The Georgia Department of Education has already released a set of recommendations for returning the state's schools to normalcy, but districts are also developing their own individual plans.

We compiled the below spreadsheets with some highlights and comparison between districts as well as the full plan from each district. 

Atlanta Public Schools

New superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring said APS would begin the school year operating in an all-virtual format, and the start of school has been pushed back to Aug. 24.

The system is giving families two options for virtual learning.  

Students can enroll in the Atlanta Virtual Academy, referred to as "Ava" where they'll be taught by Ava teachers. Students can also stay with virtual learning from your home school. This option gives you the flexibility to go back to in-person learning if and when that happens. 

RELATED: Atlanta Public Schools to require virtual learning for first quarter of school year

After initially examining a number of hybrid models and leaving open the possibility for face-to-face learning, Dr. Herring said with cases surging in Georgia they won't consider in-person classes until COVID-19 hits moderate or minimal spread.

Masks will be also required in any Atlanta Public Schools building.  

Banks County School System 

On the school districts website, they announced that the start date will be Wednesday, August 19th for students both in-person and for digital learning. The school district's precautionary guidelines include the following:

1. Temperatures will be taken as-needed. Any faculty or staff member with a temperature above 100.3 or experiencing symptoms will be asked to stay home. 

2. Masks will be encouraged, but not mandated for both students and staff  members. 

3. The district will not close for individual positive cases, but will follow the Department of Public Health's guidelines and procedures. 

For more information visit the district's website

RELATED: Here are the COVID safety steps metro Atlanta school districts have in place

Barrow County School System 

The school district announced this week they were dropping an in-person option to go fully digital to start the year out of concerns of "the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in our county, as well as the concerns over being able to appropriately staff our schools," Barrow Superintendent Dr. Chris McMichael said. 

For more details you can refer to the school system's website.

Bartow County Schools

The school district announced that it will resume classes both on-line and in person on August 5th. On July 14 via Twitter, the school board released a Coronavirus Back-to-School Guide. 

Some restrictions that the school district is putting in place are as follows:

1. Face coverings will not be mandated, and temperature checks will not be required to enter the school building. 

2. In terms of physical distancing, schools will space out arrival, dismissal, and classroom transitions. 

Buford City Schools:

The school district announced reopening on August 12 for in-person and digital learning. on July 9, the district announced a learning plan guide for both modes of instruction. 

Butts County School System

The system announced on Twitter on July 24 that the school board had voted unanimously to move its start date back to Aug. 17, as many other districts have done, and begin the school year in an all-virtual setting. 

Butts County said so far only the first two weeks of the year will be all-virtual. The district hopes to resume in-person learning on September 8, but it is all dependent on the data related to COVID-19.

Carroll County School System

The school system announced opening for August 24 and there will be in-person and digital learning available. On August 10th, the school district will offer premier live performances in-person for students to get them better prepared for school. The school will do random temperature checks, and encourage mask wearing when physical distancing is not easy to do.  For more information, here is the link to the school system's website. 

Cartersville City Schools

The school district announced that it will be open beginning on August 18 for in-person and digital learning. For the students who chose to attend via the traditional model of in-person learning, during the first three weeks of school till Labor Day, they will follow the hybrid model. In this model, half of the students attend school during certain days of the week, and then half of the other students attend on different days of the week. 

They created an online guide for those who have further questions. 

Chattooga County Schools

Chattooga County Schools reopened for in-person and digital learning on July 30. The district will not mandate masks in school buildings. In terms of physical distancing the school district will change arrival and dismissal methods, physical education classes will be split into small groups, and recess will be held outside.  For more information visit the district's website. 

Cherokee County Schools

During a recent Board of Education meeting, Cherokee County School District officials have opted to allow parents to make a decision on how their child will start the school year. 

Parents were asked to notify the district by July 17 if they wanted a traditional in-person model or digital learning model. Whatever decision is made is for the first nine weeks of instruction. 

Classes begin Aug. 3. For more, visit the county's reopening of school plan

Clarke County Schools 

The Clarke County Schools in July announced that classes would resume virtually for all students beginning on September 8. For more information regarding the announcement check the district's website. 

Clay County Schools

The school district will begin school on August 17 with 

Clayton County Schools

The Clayton County Board of Education has approved to start the 2020-2021 School Year utilizing the Virtual Instructional Model.

The Board also approved the adjustment of the 2020-2021 academic calendar which pushes the start of the school year to August 10 for students. This will allow teachers and staff an additional five days to prepare.

The employee workday calendar will remain the same.  

Get more details on the district's website.

Cobb County Schools

Cobb County is reversing its initial decision to start school with in-person instruction. On July 16, they announced they'd start fully remote. The first day of instruction is Aug. 17. 

On August 4, the district laid out how it will approach the school year, saying they would moved into a phased model for face-to-face instruction. However, they said the date to beginning the first phase will be determined by analyzing public health data, including the level of community spread, effective contact tracing, and efficient COVID-19 test timelines For more on the district's plan, click here

Coweta County Schools

The school district announced reopening on August 13 for digital instruction and the district will continue to monitor the situation to see if there is possible for in-person return on September 8. For more information visit the district's website.

Dawson County Schools

The school district announced opening on August 7 for in-person and digital learning. For those choosing remote learning, students from k-12 can take out an iPad from the school.  A full guideline regarding their modes of instruction can be found at their website

Decatur City Schools

After a great deal of input from stakeholder groups, Decatur City Schools said during a July 14 board meeting that it will start the year virtually.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, and we understand the impact this will have on our families, students, and staff. This plan is the outcome of examining local data on the rising number of COVID-19 cases and ineffective community mitigation, reviewing guidance from state and local health agencies, reviewing survey results from parents and staff, discussing options with stakeholder groups, and reading the numerous emails from concerned parents, students, and staff. Ultimately, we determined that, at this time, we cannot safely open schools with in-person instruction. PreK-12 students and staff will start the school year in a fully virtual learning setting,"  the district said.

Instruction will begin on Aug. 17. 

For a full breakdown of the plan, click here.

DeKalb County Schools

On Monday, July 13, officials with the district said it's too dangerous to return to campus, at least for now. The new superintendent, Cheryl Watson-Harris, told the group her top priority has been figuring out how kids can learn and stay safe. 

During the meeting, she said  they'll start remote learning on Aug. 17 and then they'll re-evaluate those plans every month to see if the COVID-19 transmission and death numbers are going down enough to return.

Douglas County Schools

The Douglas County School System said Thursday that rather than offering three learning options for the upcoming school year, they would begin the year with remote learning for all students.

In addition, the first day of instruction will be delayed until Aug. 17. They said the extra days will give staff an opportunity to issue learning devices to students and prepare for digital lessons. 

"The Board of Education made this decision based on data indicating that COVID-19 cases are on an upward trajectory in Douglas County. The school system is authorized to make this independent decision based on the Executive Order issued by Governor Brian Kemp. I will share our decision with the Georgia Department of Education," superintendent Trent North said in a letter to parents.

Additional details can be found on the district website.

Fannin County Schools

The school district announced return for faculty on August 3 and then students on August 7. Parents still have the option of enrolling their children in online learning as well. In schools, masks will be optional and temperatures will be taken for students, and faculty prior to entering the school building. Here is the school's reopening guide for parents. 

Fayette County Schools

The district has developed two different options for resuming school - Option 1 is a "brick and mortar" plan for Pre-K through 12 while Option 2 is a full-time virtual plan.

Under Option 1, there are three different instructional settings based on the level of concern regarding COVID-19 cases: green, yellow, and red. The green and yellow levels include prevention protocols such as social distancing, the recommendation of using face coverings, temperature checks, staff and visitor health checks, frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer, extensive disinfecting, and contact tracing. Under the red level, students will participate in distance learning. Face-to-face instruction will be suspended, and students will not report to school.

Protocols for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the after-school setting are being developed. School will begin on Aug. 17. For a full breakdown of the plan, click here.

Floyd County Schools 

The school district announced that it will reopen on August 13 for both in-person and digital learning. The school district will allow a ten day period where parents can switch learning options for their children. Here is a full list of answers regarding COVID-19 related questions on the school's website. 

Fulton County Schools

Superintendent Looney shared the COVID-19 Closure Matrix, which will govern the district's response to COVID-19 cases that occur within Fulton County Schools (FCS) when the district is back to in-person instruction. 

The matrix incorporates current guidance from the CDC and Department of Public Health. The district said the model includes a plan for school, building, zone, or district closures based upon low, moderate or substantial community impact. Also, each possible scenario includes a response protocol for communication, public health engagement, contact tracing, staff or student quarantine, cleaning, and recovery.

On July 16, the district announced they'd start the year fully digital. Instruction will begin Aug. 17 for students. 

For more on the decision, click here

Forsyth County Schools

The school district released a draft plan for reopening schools in the fall outlining several new policies for both students and staff. The district will reopen on August 13 for in-person and online learning. 

According to the draft, Forsyth County Schools would adopted the following guidelines.

School nurses will be the school’s main COVID-19 point of contact

  • Periodic health screenings of students and employees may be conducted including random temperature checks. 
  • Students and employees with COVID-19 symptoms or a temperature of 100.4 and above will be immediately isolated and sent home.

You must stay home if you have COVID-19 related symptoms

Frequent hand washing breaks will take place daily

Disinfecting procedures and policies will be increased 

  • Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout each building
  • Students and staff are also encouraged to bring hand sanitizer from home.
  • To promote COVID-19 protective measures, signs will be posted in highly visible locations and schools will broadcast daily messages. 
  • Schools and departments will develop a schedule for increased cleaning and disinfection. 
  • Ventilation systems will be monitored on a regular basis to ensure proper operation and the increased circulation of outdoor air as much as possible.
  • Buses will be cleaned and disinfected after every bus route. 
  • Students and employees may wear masks; they will not be provided by the school or district.

Student desks will face in the same direction  

Students will be isolated to their classrooms

  • While ensuring the safety of children, to the extent possible, students will eat in classrooms. 
  • Traditional water fountains will be closed; water fill stations will be open. Students and staff are encouraged to bring water from home.
  • Non-essential student movement throughout the school day will be limited. 
  • Outdoor recess will be continued but the number of students gathered in one area will be limited. Some playground equipment may be prohibited for student use. 

Events will be held virtually

  • In lieu of field trips, assemblies, special performances, and school wide meetings or events, including open house and curriculum nights, virtual activities will be pursued.
  • Parent/guardian teacher conferences will be held virtually, if possible.
  • Guidance from the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) will be followed for school athletics. 

Gainesville City Schools

Gainesville City Schools announced reopening on August 17 with digital learning only available. Here is the district's fact sheet regarding remote instruction

Gilmer County Schools

The school district will open on August 7th with in-person and digital learning available.The digital curriculum will be provided through OdysseyWare and Edgenuity, and the district's teachers will only act as facilitators. More information regarding online learning can be found here. 

Gordon County Schools

The school district announced that students will return for in-person learning on August 12. The district will also offer digital learning as well and students will be provided an iPad for this learning option. Elementary students may return for in-person learning after 9 weeks of remote instruction and middle school and high school students can attend in-person after remote learning for a semester. For more information, refer to the school district's website

Greene County Schools

The school district announced reopening for both in-person and remote learning on August 17. The school district will implement face to face instruction for grades pre-k through third grade on a rotating schedule. Additionally, remote learning will be available for 4th through 12 grade, with students having the opportunity for small groups for activities such as labs. For more information, visit the district's website.

Griffin-Spalding Schools

On Sept. 1, the Griffin-Spalding Board of Education approved the Griffin-Spalding County School System’s transition to in-person/remote learning plan. The plan provides for normal resumption of in-school operations while continuing to implement the remote at-home learning model for parents who may not feel comfortable sending their student(s) to school for in-person learning for the remainder of first semester.

 GSCS said it will use a phased approach to reopen for in-person learning as follows:

  1. Sept. 28, 2020: Targeted students with disabilities. Parents will be contacted by a caseworker with the GSCS Special Education Department.
  2. Oct. 19, 2020: All students who want to return for in-person learning.

Families may choose to remain in remote at-home learning or begin in-person education on Oct. 19.

Families must complete the GSCS Learning Model Selection Form to indicate either in-person learning or remote at-home learning for the remainder of the first semester. Parents/guardians should complete a separate form for each student and must commit to the remainder of the first semester, which ends on Dec. 18. This commitment will allow the school district to effectively staff for in-person learning as well as remote at-home learning. This form must be completed and submitted for each child by Friday, Sept. 11.

For more information about the in-person learning model:

Gwinnett County Schools

Gwinnett County Public Schools CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks announced on July 20 that the district was reversing course and starting the upcoming school year fully digital  on August 12 due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Georgia.

This comes days after they discussed plans for the 2020-2021 school year during a heated meeting last Thursday. The Board said at that meeting that they would go forward with plans to give families the choice of virtual or in-person learning for the upcoming school year. According to a letter from the Superintendent on August 4, the Board will continue to take steps to implement a plan that combines in-person and digital learning based on parents' decisions.

With a rise in COVID-19 cases, and Gwinnett in particular leading the state with confirmed cases, they changed their minds.

To read the full story, click here

Habersham County Schools

The district will reopen for in-person and remote learning on August 21. The district has created a COVID-19 Response Team that will assess COVID-19 data to suggest school closings as well as if the district needs to close. For more information regarding the district's safety measures, here is a link to their reopening document.  

Hall County Schools

After extending their pre-planning period from August 3 to the 21, the school district announced reopening for digital and in-person learning to begin on August 24. For more information on the district's guidelines visit their website.

Haralson County Schools

The district announced official start of school on August 4th, from August 4th to the 7th students and parents can meet virtually or in-person with teachers and administrators to discuss the academic school year ahead. Students will return to school on August 11

Heard County Schools

Heard County schools will be opening on August 5 for in-person and digital learning. The pre-planning period for teachers from July 30 till August 4. For more information visit the school districts website

Henry County Schools

Henry County Schools announced they have made the decision to delay the start of the school year until Monday, Aug. 17, at which point all students will begin the year utilizing the district’s Remote Learning plan.

Board members said they made the decision to begin the year utilizing the previously announced Scenario 2 option that was developed and shared back in June. Under Scenario 2, all students will begin the year in a remote learning environment for an indefinite period of time until it is deemed safe for students and staff to return using appropriate preventive measures and safety protocols.

“We had been planning all along for two different scenarios to start the school year,” explained Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. “We know that kids learn best inside a traditional classroom. However, after extensive preparations, conversations, and reviewing the data and feedback from families and employees, we will be utilizing our Scenario 2 that articulated a virtual start to the school year for all families.”

The district said part of the planning that has been underway for remote learning involves enhancement of the experience that students, staff, and families participated in to conclude the 2019-20 school year. Grading, attendance, and participation with expectations for regular learning and participation, as well as growth, understanding, and mastery of content standards will be the model for all students.

District officials said they will begin to release information for all families and employees to make proper plans for the delayed start to the school year.  The district said they delayed start by two weeks will allow for operational plans to be adjusted, including computing device distribution for Pre-K through 3rd-grade students needing technology for the new year.  Additionally, there will be updates on virtual open house and transitional meetings for each of the district’s 53 schools and programs.

“We know this is not the ideal solution for everyone, and we did not make this decision lightly, but the health and well-being of all of our students, staff, and families are vitally important,” Davis said.  “We are eager to get back to traditional learning in all of our buildings as that is where the majority of our students and staff thrive. With all the planning we have been doing over the past several months, we will be ready for that opportunity when it returns.”

Jackson County Schools

Dr. April Howard, Jackson County Schools superintendent, announced plans for re-opening schools for the 2020-2021 school year based on individual needs. Parents and students will have an option for either in-person classes, distance learning, or a hybrid model for grades K-12. The first day of school for Jackson county will be August 12th. 

Jasper County Schools: 

Jasper County Schools announced their re-opening plan with a letter to parents and students on July 21st. The Jasper County Board of Education approved in-person and digital learning. Parents will choose either an online or a traditional setting for students in grades K-12.

Lamar County Schools: 

Lamar County Schools will also have options for parents and students returning in Fall 2020. The county will offer on-campus learning, traditional school setting with new health and safety protocols in place or remote learning.

Parents who would like to begin the school year “Remotely” must register their student by Wednesday, August 5th. The remote learning instructional model will include plans for families with or without internet access. Classes begin August 12th.

Lumpkin County Schools: 

The Lumpkin County Schools Board of Education pushed back the official start date to Monday, August 10, from the original date of August 3rd.  Parents can decide between traditional in-Person school or the distance virtual learning for their student.

The county posted a decision guide on Twitter to help families choose the best option for their student.

Madison County Schools: 

Superintend Michael Williams announced in a letter to Madison County Schools families that the county will move the face to face instruction to August 14th  to better prepare for the Fall 2020 school year. This is a week later from the original date August 3rd. Parents will have the option of in-person or virtual learning.

Marietta City Schools

The district began the school year on Aug. 4, and released a "flexible approach" plan on Aug. 11 which will allow for some in-person learning for the youngest students and some younger students with special needs. 

The full plan can be read here, and a series of virtual town halls are being held with parents on Aug. 14 and Aug. 19, for parents of students with special needs grades K-5, and on Aug. 17 and Aug. 18, for parents of PreK-2nd grade students.

The plan envisions a phased approach to returning to classrooms based on declines in COVID-19 community spread, with the first phase keeping all students in grades 3-12 at home for virtual learning.

The youngest students, grades PreK-2, would have two days of in-person learning a week. Special education classes with low incidences of COVID in grades K-5 will have in-person learning two days a week.

Meriwether County Schools: 

Meriwether County Schools classes will begin August 24th. In a letter to parents and students city officials “highly support the traditional (in-person) learning model;” for academic, social-emotional, and economic reasons but however will offer virtual learning option.

Students who choose in-person learning will have their temperature checked daily. Students will be reminded to bring masks provided by Meriwether County School System. Masks will be required on school bus for all drivers and students. Teachers will reinforce proper hygiene measures throughout the day.

Morgan County Schools: 

Morgan County will begin classes on August 6th with the option of in-person or digital learning. School employees will teach and reinforce healthy hygiene practices for students who choose the traditional in-person learning option. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout each building and in classrooms.

More re-open guidless can be found in a letter sent to the county.

Newton County Schools: 

Newton city officials announced June 29th they will offer in-person and virtual learning option. Classes will begin August 24th 

Parents who have selected virtual learning models for their students were given the option to borrow devices from the Newton County School System. For more re-opening information visit the Newton County Schools Website. 

Oconee County Schools: 

Oconee County Schools will begin classes August 5th giving parents three options Traditional, Hybrid and Digital Learning. 

According to the Oconee County School website the school will adapt to the following guidelines.

Traditional Learning Model:
This is a traditional school experience with students beginning school in person and attending five days a week on a regular Monday through Friday schedule. However, if there is a significant increase in community spread of COVID-19, a Hybrid Learning Model or system wide Distance/Digital Learning Model may be utilized. The degree of increased community spread would determine which of these models would need to be implemented.

Hybrid Learning Model:
 In the event of increased community spread of COVID-19, OCS may transition to a hybrid learning model. Students would be divided into two groups (Hybrid 1 and Hybrid 2) and will attend school on a “Hybrid 1” schedule or a “Hybrid 2” schedule. The school system is exploring ways to ensure that students within the same family would be on the same schedule. The students will receive in-person instruction two days per week. On the other three days, students will participate in digital/distance learning experiences. The hybrid model allows for students to receive in-person instruction while significantly reducing the number of students in classrooms and allowing for more social distancing.

Full-Time Distance/Digital Learning Model:
In the event of increased community spread of COVID-19, schools may be closed to students and the OCS Distance/Digital Learning Plan would be implemented. This plan was revised to incorporate lessons learned from our experience in the spring of 2020 and feedback from the parent, student, and staff survey on distance/digital learning. All K-12 students will have a device to take home during a school closure. External WiFi access points will be available in all school parking lots and buses parked around the county.

Oglethorpe County Schools: 

Oglethorpe County Schools will offer in-person and digital learning available. The county has decided to split the days students will return back to school by last name. The city hopes this will allow students to adjust to new routines. Student with last names between A-L will return on August 10. Students with the last name between M-Z will return August 11th. All students will return August 12th. For more information on the county re-open plan you can visit the entire outline on their website.

Paulding County Schools: 

Classes began August 3rd in Paulding County with the option to be taught either at school face-to-face, or virtually online. Paulding city officials have strict guidelines for parents laid out on their website regarding which option is best for your student. 

Pickens County School: 

Pickens County superintendent Rick Townsend announced in a video on the county website that classes will begin August 17th . That is two weeks later than the original start date August 3rd. Parents will have the option of in-person or virtual learning for their students. City officials said in their re-open plans “social distancing will be strongly enforced daily”. In a tweet Pickens County published frequently asked questions to help parents better prepare their students for the upcoming year.

Pike County Schools:

Pike County Schools will being classes on August 11th. City officials have decided to hold traditional in-person classes for the 2020-2021 school year. 

According to the Pike County School website this is a few things the school with do to ensure their students are safe,

School Day:

  1. Temperature checks as students enter (<100.4).
  2. Students/Staff who are sick MUST NOT come to school.
  3. Frequent hand washing will be encouraged and promoted.
  4. Water fountains will remain open and will be cleaned frequently throughout the day. Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to decrease the use of water fountains in the school. Parents are encouraged to send students with their own water bottles.
  5. Vending machine areas will be closed until guidance restricting gathering places has been lifted.
  6. Students and staff are encouraged to wear masks. The school system cannot provide masks to students or employees. There should be no expectation that the school will require staff or students to wear masks. *There are times during instructional periods when it is critical for students to be able to see their teacher’s mouth (for example, teaching phonics). When such instances occur, teachers will make reasonable efforts to remain far enough away from students to meet the guidelines for social distancing.

For the full list please visit the Pike County website.

Polk County Schools

The Polk County school district will reopen on August 3 for in person and digital learning. If schools were to close again the district will provide devices for grades 2 through 12 and students will be given instruction through Odysseyware, Study Island, IXL, and online teacher lessons. Pre-k through first grade will be given remote learning packets to follow. For more information you can visit the district's website

Putnam County Schools: 

Putnam County city officials announced their back to school plans in a video posted on their website Monday August 3rd. In the video Superintendent Eric Arena announced classes will begin on August 31st with the option of in-person and virtual learning. Superintendent Arena also answers frequently asked questions 

Rabun County Schools 

The school district will start the school year for students and staff beginning on August 5. Students from k-12 will return to school on August 19 and pre-k students will return on August 24. Virtual learning is offered as well. The school district will implement the following to protect students and faculty. For more information visit the school's website

1. touch-less water bottle filling stations

2. staggered classroom changes to lessen hallway congestion 

3. one way hallways if feasible 

4. restricted student pick-up and drop-off plans 

Rockdale County Schools

Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts announced Thursday that the district will implement a virtual-only instructional model for all students, and will not return to brick-and-mortar classrooms for the 2020-21 fall semester. The school year will start August 24, 2020 virtually and will remain virtual for the fall semester.

"As Superintendent, I recognize and accept that ultimately the safety and well-being of our district's 20,000+ students and staff are my responsibility. I’ve always maintained that in planning for reopening our schools, our charge is to minimize as much risk as possible while understanding that, despite our best efforts, we cannot totally eliminate all risk. The issue has always been – can we sufficiently eliminate enough risk," Oats said

After deliberation, Oatts said he has concluded that the district would be unable to sufficiently minimize enough risk for students and staff at this stage of COVID-19's trajectory in Rockdale, regionally in metropolitan Atlanta, and statewide in Georgia.

Oatts said the district will continue to work to ensure a safe reopening of schools for the second semester. 

"At that point, we will be beyond the height of the flu season and what public health experts predict could be a difficult COVID-19 spike or even a second wave mid to late fall," Oatts said. 

Oatts added that he will reserve the discretion to apply all reopening planning to include the hybrid model and other instructional service delivery options for our second semester reopening, subject to public health conditions.

"I do not make this decision lightly, but I most definitely make this decision in the interest of student and staff safety and well-being and the well-being of the community in Rockdale County," he said.

More details on the 2020-21 fall semester will be coming soon. You can find them on the Rockdale County Schools website.

Thomaston-Upson Schools

The school district says that it will reopen on August 17 and school meals will be available to all remote students and in-person instruction will continue unless mandated by the state, district, or community figures. For more information visit the school's website.

Towns County Schools 

The first day of school will begin on August 17 according to a recent Facebook post for both in-person and remote learning. The school district says that students participating in on-line learning must remain their for a nine week period. More information is posted on the school district's Facebook page

Troup County Schools

The district announced reopening plans on August 17 for in-person and digital learning. The district requires face masks to be worn inside buildings for both students and staff. The school system will also implement social distancing techniques via hallway signage, monitoring of hallways and students' "helicopter arms" to encourage them to maintain 6 feet of separation 

Walton County Schools

The district will begin school on August 4, with in-person and digital learning available. The school district encourages mask wearing within school buildings, but will not enforce it. However, staff members are expected to wear masks. For more information on Walton County Schools reopening you can visit their website. 

White County Schools

The school district will open on August 14 for in-person and digital learning. Students who chose the digital learning option are required to adhere to it until December 18. For more questions regarding White County School reopening check their website

Union County Schools 

The school district is opening on August 17 for in-person and digital learning. Students who choose the in-person model may choose to participate in online learning at any point during the nine-week grading period. For more information visit the school districts website. 

University plans

University System of Georgia releases guidance for what fall semester may look like on college campuses

Emory University plans for in-person classes starting in August

Georgia State, facing budget cuts and furloughs, predicts what learning could look like for fall semester

11Alive is focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. We want to keep you informed about the latest developments while ensuring that we deliver confirmed, factual information.

We will track the most important coronavirus elements relating to Georgia on this page. Refresh often for new information. 

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