Georgia Department of
Education releases additional information regarding COVID-19 and public schools
More
information: gadoe.org/coronavirus
MEDIA
CONTACT: Meghan
Frick, GaDOE Communications Office, 404-416-2286, mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us
*Please
follow phone calls with a text message if possible.
March
12, 2020 – As
the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Georgia rises, Governor Brian Kemp
shared information regarding school closures during a 3 p.m. press conference.
See below from Governor Kemp’s office, and click
here for the full release and to view video of the press conference.
From
Governor Kemp’s Office (click
here):
Local
school systems have already implemented some limited closures in specific areas
to deal with recent presumed positive and confirmed cases of COVID-19. During
the press conference, Governor Kemp made it clear that day cares, schools, and
school districts have the freedom to implement further closures as early as
Friday, March 13, for the next two weeks.
"The
Georgia Department of Education, University System of Georgia, Technical
College System, and local school leaders have been invaluable partners to
determine the best measures to protect students, teachers, and
administrators," said Governor Kemp. "We believe in local
control for all systems when it comes to making the best decisions for their
communities. They have flexibility, and regardless of whether they stay open or
decide to close, we will support their decision."
From
the Georgia Department of Education
Governor
Kemp, State School Superintendent Richard Woods, and staff members from the
Governor’s Office and Georgia Department of Education held a call with local
school superintendents at 4 p.m. to address any questions.
The
Georgia Department of Education will post any school closings as they are
announced by local school districts to gadoe.org/coronavirus.
“I
appreciate Governor Kemp’s leadership in ensuring our school districts have the
flexibility and support to make the best decision for their students,” State
School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I encourage our local school leaders
to make decisions with the safety of their students and staff in mind. My
department will be here to support you every step of the way.”
Distance
Learning
School
districts across Georgia have been preparing for potential closures for several
weeks. GaDOE advised districts to develop a plan to continue student learning
should they need to close, using resources such as study packets, cable access,
virtual school/online classes, etc. GaDOE’s office of Teaching and Learning has
compiled virtual educational resources that are available at
gadoe.org/coronavirus, and we continue to work with industry partners to
develop additional resources.
School
Meals
We
know food insecurity for students who rely on school meals is a major concern
if extended school closures become necessary. GaDOE has sought approval from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for alternate meal service
flexibility in the case of extended closures. This would allow schools to serve
students meals through USDA approved meal service options, at approved sites
within the community. USDA has committed to reviewing these waiver requests
quickly in light of concerns about COVID-19. GaDOE will inform local districts
and schools as soon as we receive USDA’s response.
Assessment
& Accountability
We
know there are concerns regarding the state’s assessment and accountability
systems and the impact of COVID-19 and related closures on these policies. We
are closely monitoring events and are developing contingency plans for both the
assessment and accountability systems based on different scenarios. The
priority must remain the safety and well-being of students and adults. We will
stay in contact with the U.S. Department of Education and will make adjustments
as needed to our policies to accommodate districts. The specific adjustments
will depend on the course of events; however districts, schools, parents and
students should know that we will make adjustments as necessary.