DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — School officials in Douglas County are hard at work getting everything ready for new COVID-19 plans with the new school year set to begin Aug. 4.
Channel 2′s Linda Stouffer spoke with the district’s superintendent about what parents and students can expect this year.
[SPECIAL SECTION: Channel 2′s complete guide for back to school 2021 in north Georgia]
Trent North said one of the hardest parts of all this was making a school plan that works for everybody.
“I feel like we’re ready- we’re prepared to have students in person five days a week for this school year. I’m excited,” he said.
Douglas County students will not be required to start the school year wearing masks in the classroom, but North said they are monitoring the coronavirus and the variants.
“While it is increasing, it is no where near the level where we would require masks in school. However, on the bus, we will be requiring masks it’s a confined space,” he said.
BACK 2 SCHOOL
- Back to School 2021: Here’s how to check your county’s vaccination rate
- When does my district return to the classroom?
- How to reduce your child’s COVID-19 risk if they’re too young to be vaccinated
This year, families have the choice of a traditional school, a separate structured virtual option or a flexible online academy.
Douglas County staffed up in elementary schools to keep class sizes lower. The superintendent is encouraging time to talk about COVID-19, what everybody is going through and what comes next.
“This year in Douglas County, we’re talking about personal space. Personal space is different for an elementary school student, a middle school student and for a high school students,” North said. “So we are going to work with our students on how do we live in post COVID. To be able to make the connection that’s important in elementary school.”
Douglas County officials say they were out front last spring with making vaccines available to teachers. Students 12 and older will have more options to get the shots between now and the first day of school.
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