Some of Georgia’s largest school districts will start the new year virtually amid the state’s surge in COVID-19 cases. According to the Associated Press, Fulton County and Dekalb County schools said Friday students will learn remotely when they resume classes next week and then return for in-person instruction on Jan. 10.
Clayton County Public Schools and Rockdale County Public Schools previously announced the same plan. According to USN, All four districts are in the Atlanta area. Clayton Superintendent Morcease Beasley said the additional time away from the classroom will allow students and employees who test positive for the virus to complete recommended quarantine periods.
Testing will be available at the district’s schools on Jan. 5 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Beasley said the decision to go virtual was not taken lightly. “As we continue to monitor the surge in COVID-19 cases within our county, we understand that our schools and offices are microcosms of our respective communities,” Beasley said in a statement.
“We have to act with caution and encourage families to participate in the vaccination and testing opportunities available to ensure we can have a school with minimal disruptions to the learning process.” Clayton is Georgia’s fifth-largest school system. It serves more than 50,000 students. Fulton and DeKalb are even larger.
