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School closures
Following the lead of Gov. Brian Kemp, Habersham County Schools closed their doors Monday through at least the end of March in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus prevention plan.
“The Habersham County School System will respond to the Governor’s call to action by closing all schools for students,” Superintendent Matthew Cooper said. “We will notify parents if it becomes necessary to extend this closure. Closing schools for a period of time is a proactive measure to prevent the coronavirus from entering a school and from spreading in our community.”
Students began their learning from home plans on Tuesday, which include online classes and take-home packets for those who cannot connect to the internet. The libraries in Cornelia and Clarkesville also are closed, limiting the students’ opportunities for public Wifi.
The original call to action by Kemp included the next two weeks, but he extended that to March 31 with another mandate Monday.
Expectations for the learn-at-home include:
Teachers
• Be available to students and parents during normal school hours or as specifically arranged;
• Communicate, at a minimum, weekly with students and parents through email, phone calls, text or chat;
• Review all hard copy materials when returned to school;
• Maintain grades in Powerschool, if appropriate.
Students
• Complete hard copy lesson, if appropriate;
• Complete work assigned through Google Classroom;
• Communicate with teachers throughout the Learning from Home process.
Parents
• Communicate with teachers throughout the Learning from Home process;
• Review students’ progress on assignments.
Piedmont College announced last week that it has extended spring break for a week and is moving all classroom instruction online beginning March 23 until further notice. All other normal operations will continue, and the campus will remain open. Staff will continue reporting to work, according to the school’s web site.
North Georgia Technical College also will do online instruction beginning March 23 until further notice.
The University System of Georgia announced Monday afternoon that all of its 26 colleges and universities will conduct online instruction for the rest of the semester. Students are not allowed to return to campus until they receive permission from their institution.