JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Jackson County School District has announced their reopening plans as they prepare to open back up to students on August 10.
Like many other local school districts, parents have the option to return their kids to campus when school starts or elect to take advantage of the district's Virtual School option, which is completely online. If parents choose the virtual option, officials say they should plan to commit to a minimum of a full semester in the program.
"The goal moving forward will continue to be to provide the safest learning and working environment possible for everyone while at school," school officials wrote in a release posted to social media. "We ask for your help and cooperation in keeping our schools as safe as possible."
The district will also be implementing the following safety measures to protect all students attending face-to-face classes on campus:
*Temperature checks will be conducted for staff and students upon entering the buildings
*Approved cloth face masks are encouraged, particularly on buses and during class changes
*Increased signage will be posted to educate and remind staff and students of the precautions that should be taken in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases
*Handwashing will be done early morning, mid-day, and early afternoon
*Buses will be sanitized after each route
*Some breakfast and/or lunch meals will be served in the classrooms
*Social distancing will be expected where feasible
.*Traffic patterns for student transition times will be expected
*There will be increased cleaning of schools and high touch point areas
*Students who have a temperature of 100.4 or higher or other symptoms will be isolated, and the parents will be notified. (Students displaying symptoms should stay home)
*Campuses will be closed for lunch
*Visitors on campus will be limited
*Parent/teacher meetings will be conducted virtually
Parents are encouraged to complete the Back to School Survey about whether they will send their kids back to school or opt for the virtual learning option. While the survey does not lock you into a decision, officials say it helps them in planning for how many students will be on campus and helps them identify needs for on-site teachers v.s. virtual teachers.
Parents are asked to complete the survey by July 9. Click here to access the survey.
"As we move out of the pandemic and CDC recommendations are eased, we will make changes to ease our restrictions. Thank you for your understanding as we work to provide a healthy school environment for all," the release read.
