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Parents, students try to cope with Georgia's 2020 school closure

Posted at 11:18 PM, Apr 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-01 23:18:07-04

DECATUR COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) — Georgia's governor, Brian Kemp announced he will sign an executive order to close all schools k-12 for the rest of the school year, leaving parents and school districts scrambling to plan for the kids stuck at home.

”What will he know, what will he not know," said Hope Butler, who's son is a student in Decatur County. "Will I have to teach him?”

Butler's son, Latuan, is scheduled to go to sixth grade next year, but news of all Georgia schools closing for the rest of the school year sparked major concern.

“My main focus is, is he going to be behind as well as other students because they are not getting this ending that they need to go to the next grade,” Butler said.

Like most schools, Latuan's is using technology to get their lessons. Butler says they are doing the work, but it’s not being graded like it would if they were in the classroom.

School districts in Georgia are now making plans for their students

”The one thing we promise is that the best interest of our children, our community and our employees will remain at the forefront of every decision we make,” read a statement from Valdosta City Schools.

Valdosta City Schools will continue to provide meals for their students during this time.

While districts are planning, some students like Latuan wish they could’ve had a little more time with their teachers.

”I do miss all my teachers," Latuan said. "I will say that.”

His mom wants to know what happens beyond this year.

“What’s going to happen to next year," Butler said, "because they haven’t completed this last semester?”

It's a question many parents have in Georgia.