Schley County Schools

Superintendent Woods suspends state testing administration, accountability requirements; other COVID-19 updates March 16, 2020 – As the COVID-19 outbreak continues and many public schools are closed to ensure the safety of students and staff, State School Superintendent Richard Woods is suspending the following until further notice: ​State assessment window/administration (including Georgia Milestones EOGs and EOCs, the Georgia Alternate Assessment/GAA 2.0, and all other required testing Teacher and leader evaluation (TKES/LKES) requirements and reporting State-level attendance-related consequences (including CCRPI, TKES/LKES, School Climate Star Rating, and make-up day requirements) https://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/communications/Pages/PressReleaseDetails.aspx?PressView=default&pid=752

Dear Parents and Community Members, Schley County Schools have been in close contact with our local health department and our local emergency response team members. In addition to CDC guidance, we will continue to take the necessary steps to disinfect our school and transportation areas. Yesterday, Governor Kemp asked schools to consider closing for 14 calendar days to limit the spread of Covid-19. While there are no confirmed cases in Schley County at this time, there are cases in nearby counties. Out of concern for our students’ well-being and to limit exposure, all schools will be closed from March 16 through March 27. All buildings and buses will be disinfected using our Ecovasive system. We would ask that all jackets, backpacks, and school items that travel from home to school be cleaned as well. All 1:1 devices were sent home with chargers to facilitate any at-home learning opportunities. All teacher pages will have relevant guidance, as well as a posting from your child’s teacher for accessible hours each day. This type of event is unchartered territory for our country and our community. I greatly appreciate the support we receive at all times, but I truly am thankful for the resources we have here. Please take the necessary precautions for your children, yourselves, and your community. Avoid large group gatherings at all costs so that this loss of instruction time will not be in vain. I pray for everyone’s health and safety during this uncertain time. Sincerely, Brian Hall Superintendent

Parents, Out of an abundance of caution, we feel the need to take even greater steps to prevent potential exposure to the covid-19 virus. It is for that reason we will institute the following until further notice: • All inside events are cancelled (This will include after school.) • No lunch visits or non-essential school visits will be allowed • Field trips are cancelled until further notice • Outside sporting events will remain at this time. Travel to away outside sports activities will occur if the host school is not at risk. Public dining will not be allowed for these trips. Since the initial outbreak in the U.S., we have been and will remain in contact with public health. Please remember the guidance already given about hand-washing, coughing, and sneezing. Please monitor your child for any signs of cold or fever. We are at this time waiving the need for a doctor’s excuse for an absence until this crisis in over. Any fever of 100 or higher does not need to be at school. If fever is detected, the child will be isolated immediately and a parent contacted for their pick up. A child should not return until they are fever free for 24 hours. Please check your child daily prior to reporting to school. Should we need to dismiss or cancel classes, our website, Facebook pages, and direct parent notification will provide that immediate information. Brian Hall Superintendent

Reminder for those that are participating, the after school program begins today. (Grade levels involved are grades 3-8.) If your student is a bus rider, there will be three buses transporting students home. Please be patient as we are going to get your students home as quickly, but SAFELY as possible.

As we continue to monitor the current weather moving through our area, we anticipate a delayed dismissal for our busses beginning their afternoon routes. Current radar projections show a band of thunderstorms reaching us at our usual dismissal time. After this time it does look much lighter with only lingering precipitation. However, we will continue with car riders as scheduled. We ask for your patience at student pick up because it will no doubt be slowed as well. In addition, all after school activities are cancelled for today. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we try to get everyone home safely.

ALL after school activities are cancelled for today.

The IDEA Parent Survey will be open from January 15, 2020 – May 31, 2020. The IDEA Parent Survey helps the state to determine parents’ perception of the success of parent engagement between the local school and themselves. Georgia’s parent survey is available to all families of students with disabilities. The survey will be administered through an online link and can be found on the websites listed below. Direct link to the parent survey: https://gshs.gadoe.org/Pages/Parent.aspx

The Schley County School System is hiring full-time and substitute School Bus Drivers. Applicants must have (or be able to obtain) a CDL with endorsements, required by the State of Georgia. For more information, contact Tee Reddish at (229) 937-0550.

Congratulations to Schley County Elementary! SCE was named to the Rewards School List for 2019. Rewards Schools are among the greatest-improving 5% of Title I Schoolwide schools and Title I Targeted Assistance schools. Reward Schools also have to maintain the performance of their economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English learners to be recognized. Great job students and staff for your hard work! The article can be found HERE.

Friday marked the release of the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI). This is an annual report to show a school's performance for the previous year.I would encourage you to look at the two links below. The data is readily available and the site is easy to navigate. Our system performed very well in all three areas (elementary, middle, and high). Our growth scores were up and students showed marked improvement in their end of course and end of grade exams! https://www.gadoe.org/CCRPI/Pages/default.aspx http://ccrpi.gadoe.org/Reports/Views/Shared/_Layout.html

We welcome Mr. Jim Sellars as our newly appointed board member. Mr. Sellars was officially sworn in today By Mrs. Mitzi Way. He fills the recently vacated at-large board seat for the remainder of the term.

The Schley County School System has partnered with the Schley County Health Department in offering flu shots to students. A consent form will be sent home with students and needs to be filled out and returned to school by September 23, 2019. The forms can be given to either homeroom teachers or office staff. The shots will be offered on October 11, 2019 after early release in the elementary school lunchroom from 1 to 4 pm. In order for students to receive the shot, a parent must be present. On the consent form, insurance information is asked for but a student can receive the shot even if they do not have insurance coverage.

Schley County Schools' job postings can be found on Teach Georgia or through the Menu tab on this website by selecting the employment option.

Schley County Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday, September 2nd and 3rd in observance of the Labor Day holiday. School will resume on Wednesday, September 4th.

Campus security upgrades are in place for the 2019-20 school year. Monitors have been added to both main school offices and all side entrances will now be secured through installed access systems.

Faculty and staff kicked off the 2019-2020 school year with an all-staff breakfast. New personnel were introduced and time was also taken to recognize "Miss Minnie" for starting her 45th year!

The phone system for the Board of Education building is currently down due to lightning damage. Our office is open and we can be reached via email. Phone systems at both schools are working.

The Schley County School System wishes to thank Mr. Rodney Wall for his years of service to our Board of Education. Mr. Wall will be leaving us this month to join the Schley County Sheriff’s Office. In this capacity, he will be assigned to SRO duty for both school campuses.