What began as a recommendation is now an order.
A March 12 press release from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office recommended school closures to limit the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), but remained supportive of those that wished to remain open. By March 16, that was no longer the case.
“To keep our students, teachers and administrators safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I am ordering the closure of all public elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020, to March 31, 2020,” said Kemp.
“This measure is critical to reducing local transmission in communities across our state, and I ask Georgians to continue to follow best practices — washing their hands regularly, isolating the elderly and chronically ill and avoiding large events if possible — in the days and weeks ahead.”
Prior to Kemp’s order, Gilmer Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs made the decision to close schools following his initial press release March 12. The tentative plan was to close schools for a week.
By Monday evening, closures were extended to March 31, and as of Tuesday morning, schools will remain closed through April 12 to encompass the spring break holiday.
Downs noted they will continue to monitor this ever-changing situation and remain in contact Kemp’s office, the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Department of Health.
“We have gotten multiple press releases every day from multiple sources,” Downs said. “This is the most fluid issue I have known since I have been in education. Just when we think we know what the next set of advice will be, it comes out and it’s something else.
“This afternoon (March 16), the president, based on some CDC advice, said there shouldn’t be gatherings of more than 10 people. Now we’re working in accordance with that because we have so many events this week.”
All Gilmer students in grades 6-12 have access to Chromebooks, which allow them to communicate with teachers and complete assignments online while classes are suspended. Students have access to teachers during the hours of a normal school day.
Students in grades K-5 have received paper learning packets with a week’s worth of assignments. Downs noted they are formulating a plan to get younger students more work as closures continue.
The central office will be closed during this time and staff will work from home.
“We’re concerned with doing our part to flatten that curve (minimize mass spreading of the virus) and limit person-to-person contact,” Downs said. “I hope our parents and students heed the warnings and stay home and truly limit social contact until this passes.”
GHSA suspends all sports activities
The Georgia High School Association recommended in a March 12 press release “that all member schools suspend spring sports activities until further notice.”
In the release, GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines said, “The regular season belongs to the schools themselves. We can only recommend that they suspend playing. The final decision will rest with the local school systems, but we hope they heed the governor’s and the GHSA’s recommendations.”
Gilmer Schools suspended all extracurricular activities that evening, including both games and practices.
In a March 16 statement, the GHSA noted, “As we all continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 on everything, we want to keep you informed as to the latest GHSA decisions.
“We are keeping all GHSA family members in our thoughts and we will strive to do what is in the best interest of our student-athletes during this unprecedented time.”
System dedicated to feeding youth
The Georgia Department of Education announced March 13 it had received USDA approval for school meal flexibility during the Conoravirus outbreak.
“We know food insecurity for students who rely on school meals is a major concern during school closures,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in the press release.
“We are going to make sure there are options available for students as long as they’re needed, and state and district school nutrition staff are working round-the-clock to get this up and running for Georgia’s kids.”
Gilmer’s director of school nutrition Linda Waters immediately applied with the state last Friday to begin its meal program, and they received emergency approval later that evening.
Similar to the Seamless Summer meal program, the Gilmer School System will serve a free lunch and snack from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 12 locations throughout the county.
Meals will be available Monday through Friday, and the program will be in place until school is back in session, according to Downs.
Per USDA regulations, the child must be present at the location to receive the meal, which is available to all under the age of 18, regardless if one is enrolled.
Meals can be found at the following locations: Tower Road, Mulberry Street Apartments, Gilmer County Civic Center, Penland’s Apple House on Hwy. 282 (Tails Creek), First United Methodist Church, Lakeside Trailer Park, Cherry Log Baptist Church, Salem Church on Boardtown Road, R & A Orchards, Orchard Church, Gilmer Schools Agriculture Education Center and Carolyn Drive.
The program dished out 231 meals Monday, which consisted of a hot lunch and an apple and pop tart for a snack.
The program is being manned by the school system’s nutrition staff. Kitchens at all schools were operating Monday morning to prepare the food. To minimize person-to-person contact, a limited number of staff was used to distribute meals.
Groundbreaking canceled
The groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for March 20 to kick off the construction of Clear Creek Elementary School has been canceled, and there are no plans to reschedule.