Most Cherokee Students Attending In-Person As School Year Begins

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Cherokee County Schools is one of the first districts in Georgia to start the school year, and most families elected to send their students back to in-person learning.

On Monday, the district started its 2020-21 school year, and of the more than 42,000 students and 5,000 employees, 77 percent will begin in-person.

Cherokee Superintendent Brian Hightower said that it seems every day as a nation and a community there is a new issue that divides people, but the school district does not need to be divided.

"While we may have two teaching models as we begin this school year, all of the children we serve are our children," Hightower said. "I hope to see first-day photos on social media, not only of kids in polos at the bus stop, but also of kids in PJs booting up their laptop. Your kids are our kids, no matter what choice you made for where they're learning this school year."

Hightower addressed many questions parents have had about their children's teachers, and what will happen in specific scenarios. The district has adopted recommended measures to keep students and staff safe. Additionally, the district has spent at least $4 million on these safety efforts, with more to be spent.

"While we will have some teachers who serve students in only one model, all of the teachers who serve are our teachers," he said. "If a teacher opts to take leave, they are still a part of our family, and we care about them. If your child's teacher takes leave or resigns, we will do our best to fill that important role with a qualified teacher from our applicant pool or our team of long-time substitute teachers. We have 500 retired teachers, parents and community members signed up to serve as temporary substitute teachers if needed ... we've heard from more who want to join us, so we are opening up training sessions this month."

Masks and face coverings are required for staff, and strongly recommended and encouraged for students. Two washable and reusable masks will be provided to students and staff, the district said.

"We strongly recommend and encourage all students wear masks at school, and are providing reusable masks to them, and we will continue to adapt our strategies and improve safety measures," Hightower said. "All staff will be required to wear masks when they cannot social distance; additionally, we're providing plastic face shields to staff, upon request, so they can benefit from a plastic barrier but still move around their classroom as they teach or fulfill other essential roles."

School officials have been working hard to prepare the back-to-school plan, Hightower said.

Cherokee Schools has suspended many activities for the first nine weeks of school due to COVID-19. At the midterm on Oct. 9, the district will revisit protocols and make determinations on issues including visitors, assemblies, extra-curricular activities for elementary and middle, etc. That will also be the end of the first commitment period for elementary Digital Learning.

"You may not agree with our reopening plan, but let me make this clear: I care about every child we serve and every employee who serves alongside me, and the families, community organizations, and business partners who together make up our #CCSDfam ... as does our school board and as does my leadership team that has been working around the clock to prepare for reopening," he said. "My son, my daughter and my daughter-in-law work in our schools. Two of our school board members have children in our schools, and another board member’s wife is a teacher in our schools. We all have a vested interest.

What we know about COVID-19 changes almost daily, and we must be nimble in our response. This flexibility does not start and end with the first day of school - it will be a mindset for the school year."

Visit online to view the reopening of school plan.