By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Henry County Schools is hoping to reopen school August 31 in the second, or yellow phase, which indicates the district is experiencing a low amount of spread of the COVID-19 virus.
At Thursday night’s meeting of the school board, Director Schools Dr. Leah Watkins said, “We’re very pleased with the way the numbers of new cases are going right now. The last two days there have been four new cases each day and that is tremendous improvement over where we were two weeks ago. We’re in a much different position than we were on August 3” (which was the original date for school reopening).
Dr. Watkins said, “Of course, a lot can change in that time, but we are certainly seeing a lot of improvements. Our teachers have been in the buildings making plans and we know the community and parents are struggling and our teachers are doing an amazing job. Everyone is being adaptable to this.”
Changes will need to be made for school reopening, she said, noting that teachers have been making the difficult call to parents, asking them if the district opened with in-person instruction, would their kids come?
So far, there are 147 students which have signed up for the Henry County Virtual Academy, she said, “and that’s a significant part of the population. The result of that is that the likelihood of us being able to have in-person classes would go up because we would have more ability to space everyone out for social distancing.”
Dr. Watkins said, “That’s a positive and hats off to our community for that. Our teachers are willing to be flexible and they’ve done an amazing job of just being adaptable. People have really stepped out of their comfort zones and Henry County people are doing what they can.”
She reiterated, “Our goal is to open in the yellow phase with class sizes of 12 to 16 students. And I feel good that we can go having in-person instruction.”
But, she cautioned, “This is a moving target. The situation changes almost every day.”
Students and teachers will be asked to wear masks in the school buildings, she said. “It’s unquestionable from the documentation from the CDC and medical professionals that we need to ask that masks be worn in the buildings. Ultimately, if a mask keeps a child or teacher from picking this up (COVID-19), that is something we should do.”
Staff is wearing masks now in all their offices and in the school buildings now “because it’s too important for us to keep our staff well.”
Schools will look different when school reopens, she said, with sanitization stations set up and temperatures will be taken as people enter buildings.
With the first day of school set for August 31, days will be set up August 24, 25 and 26 for students to familiarize themselves with the schools.
Chrome books have arrived and are ready for students to use. “If you need a device, contact your school system and we will get one to you. The parking areas at the schools have been opened up with Wifi and (Chamber Director) Travis McLeese is working with businesses opening up their parking areas with Wifi, too.”
The W.G. Rhea Library also have resources available for those without devices or internet and has Wifi available in their parking areas.
In other business:
–Outgoing Board Member Rod Frey thanked everyone and said, “I’ve enjoyed my time on the board and I don’t regret any vote I’ve made.” He congratulated Board Chairman Jill Coker and Dr. Watkins on their leadership.
“I appreciate the members on our staff and Dr. Watkins, I can’t say enough about your team. I really can’t say enough about this board. This board has really gelled together,” he said, and congratulated Junior Staggs on winning the board election. “I feel like he’ll do a good job.”
A socially distant reception for Frey was held after the meeting.
–Service awards were presented to numerous staff members.
–Dr. Watkins praised the teaching staff, noting, “They really haven’t had a summer” with all the COVID-19 related work that has been ongoing.
Photo by Susan Burton
