Good afternoon,
As we prepare for summer and fall, I want to update you on the District’s latest plans for school and district operations.
In accordance with Executive Order 1484 announced by Governor Tate Reeves last week, we are beginning the process of returning our employees safely back to work. Beginning June 1, we will resume normal summer office hours of 7:30 am until 3:30 pm at each school campus and 8 am until 4 pm at Greensboro Center.
During this transition, we encourage parents to complete any school business electronically if possible as we try to limit office visits to essential business. If you have questions about school-related issues, please contact the appropriate school office or department. Our office support staff teams will be available to answer your phone calls and your questions. However, if necessary, you may schedule an appointment for an in-person office visit.
Please be aware we will follow the guidelines listed below to provide a safe working environment for our employees:
- All visitors to our school offices must have a scheduled appointment.
- All visitors to our school offices must wear a mask.
- All visitors should use the hand sanitizer provided when they enter a school office area.
- All visitors to our school offices must remain in the front office areas unless authorized by the principal.
- All visitors must practice social distancing.All in-person meetings must allow participants to socially distance themselves at least six feet from another person or person(s).
- All visitors should complete a self-check before entering a school building. Visitors with fever greater than 100.4, congestion, dry cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat and/or chills should NOT enter our school buildings or offices. It is extremely important that you do NOT come to our schools or offices if you are sick. Please do not place our school employees at risk.
Drop boxes for book returns are located outside each school entrance for your convenience.
Planning for August
As we prepare for the return of students in August, I have created a Superintendent’s Advisory Council that includes internal and external members of our school community to help guide this planning process. The District has also identified a Social Emotional Task Force to support our students and staff as they return to our schools and classrooms. Each school has also developed a re-opening task force to establish operating guidelines in preparation for students to return to campus.
There is a lot for us to consider as we move forward, but the key focus areas of these groups includes the following:
- Evaluating numerous, flexible options that blend in-person instruction with virtual learning that can also be quickly adjusted if needed or required which could include a modified school calendar.
- Supporting social and emotional learning of our students and staff.
- Fostering a safe working environment that emphasizes spread reduction techniques of social distancing, best practices for disinfecting and sanitizing buildings and classrooms, hand washing, daily self-checks for symptoms of Covid-19, and wearing of masks to protect the health and wellness of our students, employees and families as we prepare for a safe return to our schools and classrooms.
Meanwhile, the District is ordering and installing signage in our front office/reception areas to help provide awareness about the District’s operating procedures during this time.
Summer School
The District will begin virtual summer school on June 15. Summer sessions, which will operate on an A/B schedule of Monday/Wednesday & Tuesday/Thursday, are scheduled to conclude July 23. Parents should expect to receive more information about summer school eligibility and registration details next week.
Athletics & Activities
The Mississippi High School Activities Association has ruled summer workouts and practices for athletic teams and other MHSAA affiliated organizations may resume under strict guidelines. The District has decided to allow our athletic teams and organizations to begin on June 15. We will be meeting with our coaches and directors to prepare for a safe return, and we will be sharing this information with our students and families this week.
For more information on the MHSAA decision and guidelines, go to https://www.misshsaa.com/2020/05/21/covid-19-return-to-activity-guidelines-5-21-2020/.
Emerson Family School
The District is planning to re-open the childcare program housed at Emerson Family School on June 15. We will be sharing additional details and information regarding this program and its operation with parents this week.
Summer Meal Program
The District’s Meals 2 Go program will continue this summer. Meal service will resume on June 1 and will continue its Monday/Wednesday schedule through July 22. For more information, go to www.starkvillesd.com/covid19.
It is important for all of us to remember that our response to the challenges of Covid-19 are constantly evolving. All of our plans are flexible as adjustments will likely be required.
I ask for your continued patience and understanding as we move into this next phase of response and prepare for a new normal. We will get through this together.
Eddie Peasant
Superintendent