Before the ink dried on last week’s Times-Courier, the Gilmer County School System altered its open house plans.
At last Monday’s board of education work session, it was announced open house would only be open to transition students entering pre-K, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade, as well as those brand new to the system.
However, those plans were revised Tuesday after elementary level personnel voiced their concerns.
“So the day after our meeting, our administrators grew more and more concerned with the idea of only having open house for transition years,” superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs said last Thursday.
“They felt very strongly that elementary really needed to change their mind and have an open house available to all of those in elementary, but have it spread out over the course of the day so there are fewer people in the building at one time. That open house would allow teachers, parents and students guidance as they transition back into a traditional school.”
The plans to have a limited open house were originally made to limit close interactions between large groups of people during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Even though all elementary school students are now permitted to attend open house, safety remains a key component. To accommodate, the hours of open house have been extended.
“These extended hours should allow parents to select a time that works well for their family while providing ample parking and the ability to social distance within the building,” Downs said. “During open house the use of masks will be highly recommended.
“Parents will be able to meet their child’s teacher, obtain transportation information, deliver any student supplies and receive beginning-of-year paperwork. All families of traditional face-to-face students are encouraged to attend.”
All elementary schools will hold open house Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sixth grade students at Clear Creek Middle School are welcome to stop by Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. First block teachers will contact seventh- and eighth-grade students Aug. 5 to inform them where to report on the first day of school.
Open house for ninth graders at Gilmer High is by appointment only on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Students who opted for the Gilmer Virtual Academy online rather than attend face-to-face instruction will have a virtual community meeting Aug. 5 at 6 p.m.
As of Tuesday’s press deadline, the first day of school is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7.