Plans continue to evolve for the scheduled August 3 opening of Henry County’s public schools, along with contingency plans in case that date cannot be met.

  Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis gave the latest report on those plans during the Henry County Board of Education’s June 8 study session. New health and safety protocols provided by state education officials are being put in place for the planned return to on-campus activities at the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Among those are additional hand sanitization stations, restroom use protocols, face-mask-optional practices, and enhanced cleaning processes. Additional guidelines regarding cafeteria use, playground use, and large-group courses such as fine arts, physical education, and JROTC will be outlined on the district website in early July.

  At the same time, any student who wishes to begin the year with remote learning will have the opportunity to do so. Families interested in this option will be asked to complete relevant registration forms, which will be available on the district website and local school websites during July.

  “We recognize that many families and students are eager to return to school campuses and return to in-person instruction,” said Davis. “We also recognize that there will be families who are not quite ready for this next step and would like to continue remote learning instead. We are preparing to provide both options for families so that students can have access to the best learning environment for them as we start back in a new school year.”  

  To help district official plan for this, an anonymous preliminary preference survey is being sent to parents this week so they can indicate what seems more attractive for their children right now. No one will be locked in to a particular option upon completion of the survey, but the district will provide routine communication throughout the summer to keep families informed of technical, instructional, and operational decisions to help families make the best choice. That decision will be made during the July 8-17 window, after which all students not registered for remote learning will be automatically enrolled for on-campus instruction to start the year.

  Officials are encouraging all families to look to the district website, henry.k12.ga.us, as the primary source of information for answers to the most commonly asked questions.

  If the state orders school buildings closed at the start of the new school year, Henry County will be ready to implement remote learning for all students from the first day of classes. Various technical, instructional, and operational enhancements are already underway in response to findings from the recent remote learning survey in which more than 5,000 parents, teachers and administrators participated.

  For those who desire a more permanent remote learning environment, the school board voted to approve the expansion of Impact Academy, the district’s blended virtual program for middle and high school students, so it will be available for all elementary grades as well. More detailed information about Impact Academy is also available on the district website.

  “As a public institution in Henry County, we feel responsible to be open to the youth in our community and we are preparing to make on-campus learning available for students and families who feel ready to return,” said Davis.