This is a column by Kyle Wingfield, president and CEO of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, a Libertarian-leaning policy think tank based in Atlanta.
As classes wound down for summer break, I noticed two types of “school’s out!” posts from my friends on social media.
The first type was from people whose children didn’t miss extended periods of time in a classroom. They didn’t settle for remote learning. Their year-end posts looked a lot like those from the end of every school year through 2019 in the age of social media: first day/last day pictures, smiling faces. They are sprinting toward the lazy freedom of summer.
Virtual school is the pits, in this parent’s perspective.
Yet one dad’s mantrap can be another’s paradise.
Local school officials better take heed.
Districts are announcing plans for next school year, and the tone is unmistakable: Leaders are as eager to abandon online learning as high school seniors are to turn the tassels on their graduation caps.
Effingham County Schools Superintendent Yancy Ford said this week, “We do not plan to have a virtual option.” Never mind that 1,305 students 10% of the population are learning from home over an internet connection this year.
Savannah-Chatham Superintendent Ann Levett told the School Board on Wednesday that the virtual option will be available by request only and on a limited basis. Meanwhile, 25,000 of the district’s 37,000 students are currently learning from home five days a week. The parents of the majority of those kids have said their children will return to school buildings in August, but a significant number p
While the Class of 2021 is looking forward to graduation ceremonies within the next two weeks, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools district officials are forging ahead with plans for next school year.
One word missing from the conversation: hybrid. Students are going to be in the classroom five days a week starting on Aug. 4. Virtual will still be an option, but only a limited one.
Plans have been in the works for the past few months for a full-time five-day-a-week school schedule for all students starting Aug. 4. At the April school board meeting, District Superintendent Ann Levett floated the idea of possibly phasing in the students return; but at yesterday s school board meeting, she indicated all students will return on Aug. 4.
SCCPSS makes plans for full in-person return in fall
SCCPSS makes plans for full in-person return in fall By Blair Caldwell | May 5, 2021 at 7:05 PM EDT - Updated May 5 at 7:37 PM
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Though Savannah-Chatham County students still have about 12 school days left this year, district leaders are already planning for next year.
Superintendent Dr. Ann Levett said not only will it be five days in-person, but as close to pre-COVID operations as possible.
Mark it on your calendar - August 4 is the day Savannah-Chatham students will return to school like normal.
Leaders say virtual school will be an option, but by request and with limited capacity.
Curbside celebrations of graduates continue in Savannah Share Updated: 7:34 PM EDT May 3, 2021 Share Updated: 7:34 PM EDT May 3, 2021
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript DOT COM AND CLICK ON THE DRIVE FOR GOOD SECTI AN EVENT CREATED LAST YEAR BY THE SAVANNAH- CHATHAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLYS STEM BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROVED TO BE SUCH A HIT - THEY RE DOING IT AGAIN TS HI YEAR EVEN WITH STUDENTS BACK IN SCHOOL. OUR DAVE WILLIAMS EXPLAI. NS THE EXCITEMENT WAS OBVIOUS MONDAY AT WINDSOR FORE ST HIGH SCHOOL AS THE SENR IO CLASS CELEBRATES WHAT S TO COME IN A COUPLE OF WES. EK THOSE SOON TO BE HIGH SCHO OL GRADUATES PICKING UP THEIR CAPS AND GOWNS A DECORATING THEIR CARS TO CELEBRATE THEIR ACCOMPLISHME. THE CURBSIDE PICKUPS WERE ARSTTED LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING PANDEMIC, AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNI NG IT WAS STILL SOMETHING THIS CLASS WANTED TO DO AGAIN THIS YEAR. (DR. ANNEV LETT- SUPERINTENDENT, SCCPSS) ONE OF