FCS Reopening School Update June 30
Northwestern Middle School News and Notes
Good Afternoon Wildcat Country!
Superintendent Looney announced yesterday that Fulton County Schools is planning to go back to school face-to-face on August 17, 2020. This is contingent on the department of public health’s advice related to the future health and safety conditions related to our county’s COVID-19 numbers.
Our team at Northwestern is working diligently to put action plans into effect with fidelity. In preparation for our students and staff to return, we are planning to improve our bus safety practices, have enhanced cleaning, use physical barriers in key locations, update practices in our clinic, restrict visitors, stagger class changes, and limit mass gatherings on our campus.
Together, we can work to stop the spread of this virus by wearing our masks and washing our hands. I want to see our students and I know that our teachers/staff want the same.
There will be a series of return to school briefings during the month of July related to topics such as health and safety, athletics, nutrition, the individual remote option, and technology. Please monitor the FCS website for more information.
First Day of School Changed to Monday, August 17
In addition to announcing the face-to-face or virtual instruction options, the School Board modified the 2020-2021 calendar. Due to the change in election dates by state officials, and to allow for more overall preparation, Fulton County School’s first day of the school year for students will be August 17 instead of August 10. One-third of our schools will serve as polling places for the August 11 election; and since elections bring large numbers of voters and other members of the public into our buildings, this creates an additional safety concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. This delay allows our schools to re-disinfect the areas serving as a polling place while also providing teachers and staff additional days of professional development to prepare for our students’ arrival. Please note the change in the first day of school will not affect any other calendar dates, winter/spring breaks, holidays already announced, or the last day of school.
Virtual Learning Opportunities for 2020-2021
Fulton County Schools is offering an Individual Remote Learning opportunity for students in grades 1-8 and a Full-time Fulton Virtual opportunity for students in grades 9-12. These options are available for students who have an underlying health condition, a social or emotional condition, or other special or extenuating family circumstances that prevents them from safely returning to a face-to-face school environment due to COVID-19. The programs are also open to other interested families. Registration begins on June 30 and ends on July 17. These virtual options require a semester commitment (from August through December) and do not include extracurricular activities at local schools. However, virtual clubs will be offered. Click here for more information and visit www.fultonschools.org/enrollment to register your student.
COVID-19 Prevention Strategies for the 2020-2021 School Year
Fulton County Schools’ return-to-school plan emphasizes the health and safety of our students and staff. This flyer provides a summary of what our district is doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools, such as more frequent and thorough cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces; encouraging students to wash their hands more often; providing hand sanitizer stations in hallways; placing physical barriers at the front reception desks and other high-volume areas; and creating isolation rooms for those who appear to be symptomatic of an illness. All persons who are sick are expected to stay home, and any student or staff member who become sick while at school will be sent home immediately.
All FCS employees are required to wear a face mask and, though not mandated, students are strongly encouraged to also wear one while in school. Face masks are expected for students riding a school bus, however, since social distancing is more difficult to achieve. Students will be assigned seats and buses will be disinfected after each morning and afternoon route.
Trying to manage the movements of hundreds of students will be challenging, but possible. Desks will be spaced out in classrooms and school leaders have plans for how students will travel through the building, go through class changes, eat their meals, and attend group gatherings, such as an assembly. The goal is to reduce the possible spread of illness through more physical separation, yet still give students and teachers the personal interaction they need.
Virtual Briefings
FCS has scheduled a series of Virtual Briefings for parents and employees of the district on the reopening plans announced today. The virtual meeting schedule is provided below. Initial meetings will be available via Microsoft Teams live. Links to these broadcasts will be provided within 24 hours prior to the meeting. All meetings will be recorded and made available on our website for viewing anytime.
Topic Dates
Board Presentation July 1
Health & Safety Protocols July 1
Services for Exceptional Children July 2
Individual Remote Learning – ES July 7
Individual Remote Learning – MS July 8
Full-Time Fulton Virtual – HS July 9
Transportation July 12
Athletics/Extracurricular Activities July 14
Gaps and catching up (Assessments) July 15
Nutrition July 15
Technology (Devices, online platforms, IC) July 16
Employees Return to Work (Internal) July 17
Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern Middle School!
Sincerely,
Joel – Principal
Northwestern Middle School: Teach Hard, Love Harder – The Wildcat Way!