LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) — Another district in our area is declaring dates and social distancing decisions for the start of school in August.
Parents in Lowndes County have one week to decide whether to enroll their children in traditional or virtual learning for the fall.
While districts in Georgia are not required to reopen, Lowndes County superintendent Wes Taylor says it's important to give parents options.
"There's no way to eliminate the risk," said Taylor. "What we've attempted to do is create a list of ways to mitigate the risk as we safely bring kids back to school as well as our staff. We try to offer not only the face to face, which we believe is most conducive to learning, the traditional model, but also a virtual model for students and or families that have somebody with underlying health issues or are just not comfortable coming back to school yet."
Part of their plan for those who choose the traditional route will incorporate a mask mandate into their dress code policy.
Morgan Barfield, a Lowndes County parent, says the requirement was a major factor in keeping her child out of the classroom.
"I do like that they gave options but I wish they would've been like Valdosta and gave the options to wear masks," Barfield said. "Because this one is not going to wear a mask all day so we will be doing virtual learning."
Students enrolled in virtual learning may also participate in in-person extra curricular activities like sports.
Parents have until July 28 to enroll in the virtual program and are encouraged to do so online.
Lowndes County also allows teachers to offer virtual only classes. Those who wish to do so must submit their intent by Wednesday.
