DeKalb Schools won’t provide meal service during spring break

DeKalb County School District Interim Superintendent Ramona Tyson announced no meal service would take place during spring break, allowing for a needed break after learning schools will not reopen this year.

Students collected five additional meals on April 3 to help hold them over during the break. DeKalb County announced Monday that snack service would continue as-is, with daily distributions from nine locations across the county.

Ahead of the break, the district announced changes to its food distribution and distance learning efforts, which officials have said are critical to make sure students’ academic progress is being followed closely.

“As a district, we recognize that we must remain flexible as the COVID-19 pandemic is ever-changing,” Tyson said.

Approximately 127,906 meals and snacks have been given out since March 15, the first day to-go meals began. That includes meals handed out for spring break.

District officials said the break is an opportunity to recharge after nearly a month spent learning from home. Some said the break was necessary as they continue to tinker with digital learning strategies.

“We all need it, even though we’re not able to travel to go to our normal vacation spots and let our hair down,” said Delores Paschall, principal at Oakcliff Elementary School. “Virtual learning has been a challenge for everybody. It’s time to relax, even if I’m just relaxing on my couch.”

Beginning April 13, some students will operate on four-day work weeks, with some days to be used for parent and student conferences. Meals will be handed out three days a week, with students taking two days’ worth of food during each trip.