In-person instruction for sixth-grade students at Clear Creek Middle School has been put on hold for two weeks.
Gilmer County Schools superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs sent a letter to parents Monday afternoon informing them of the decision to halt in-person instruction “due to an increase in the number of positive reports of COVID-19 (coronavirus) among students and staff at the sixth-grade level.”
The school system met with health officials Monday morning to discuss the matter and Downs shared the guidance they received at the board of education’s work session that evening.
“Today we made a very hard decision to close Clear Creek sixth grade only,” she said. “Whenever we were talking to the department of public health this morning, I was worried they were going to tell us to close the whole school when the COVID outbreak appears to be pretty contained within sixth grade.
“There are some students quarantined in other grades, and some staff members quarantined or positive in other grades, but sixth grade really seems to be the hot spot right now.”
Parents of sixth-grade students who may have been exposed to the virus were contacted by CCMS. Those students were picked up and taken home and did not ride school buses in the afternoon.
“We simply sent home the students that were in class today with the knowledge they would not be coming back for two weeks,” Downs said. “The students who we found out had to quarantine today, their parents were called and they were picked up.”
Sixth-grade students were sent home with Chromebooks and distance learning commenced Tuesday using the Google Classroom platform. Students have received instruction on how to use the devices and how to communicate with teachers since the school year began Aug. 7.
Teachers are essential workers and will continue working as long as they do not test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit any symptoms. They will help cover for teacher shortages throughout CCMS.
“The expectation for staff is that they work in the school building but isolated in their classrooms,” Downs said. “Those who are not contacts or have not been infected — we have staff out in other grade levels and a huge shortage of subs — can help out when they’re not teaching in their Google Classroom in covering other classes.”
All other grade levels and schools in the district will remain open and operate as usual.
“Recognizing the challenges closures pose for many families in our community, we are making the decision with a heavy heart but for the greater good,” Downs’ letter to parents stated. “Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”
In-person instruction for sixth graders will resume Wednesday, Nov. 4.