SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Due to the rise in area COVID-19 cases, all Sylacauga City Schools will implement E-Learning from Wednesday, Jan. 5, through Friday, Jan. 7, as the new semester begins.
“We understand this poses a hardship for some parents,” said superintendent Dr. Michele Eller. “However, by making the decision now, families have time to make adjustments in their schedules.”
“The symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID so closely resemble a common cold, there is great risk of people carrying the virus and not knowing it.” Eller added. “Considering the surge right here in our community following the holiday gatherings, this is the reasonable course of action to protect our students and teachers from exposure.”
Face coverings will be required through Jan. 7 for all school employees and are highly encouraged for spectators of all after-school indoor activities including basketball games.
Schools and teachers will communicate with parents through the School Status platform implemented last semester, with updates also posted on the Sylacauga City Schools website.
Devices have been issued to Sylacauga High School students, but for many other students who may not have devices or necessary materials at home to begin their work, their schools will host drive-through stations for checking out Chromebooks (grades 6-8) and/or instructional packets (K-5) on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. Parents will be informed of pick up times through School Status and will also be able to receive meals for their children for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
According to Eller, some classes will meet as scheduled through Zoom or other digital platforms. “I am well aware as an educator that students learn best when they are face to face with their teachers, but we cannot deny the fact that this variant is highly transmissible and fast moving. We will be monitoring the positivity rate daily and are hopeful that things will begin to improve by the end of the week,” said Eller.
Talladega County schools have proposed no changes to their schedules at this time.
