Schools considering options for students

City Schools of Decatur is considering an option where its youngest students, grades K-6 would go back into the classroom full time when schools reopen Aug. 4.

Last month, Superintendent David Dude said CSD was mulling three potential scenarios for reopening. One included all students returning to the classroom everyday where everything, Dude said, “starts as normal with a couple extra precautions in place, like serious hand washing and sanitation and the wearing of masks.”

Another option is returning to a full digital approach, used by Decatur and most school districts nationwide for thefinal two months last year.

The final option is a hybrid approach, which looks quite a bit different than it did a month ago. This includes bringing back the K-6 students everyday, while 7-12 student return to the classroom in shifts, alternating one week in the classroom and one week online.

“There’s a strong desire to get students back into the classroom,” Assistant Superintendent Maggie Fehrman told the AJC Wednesday. “It’s no question the younger students needed that physical presence the most.”

Fehrman said she had three meetings left before decision is made, possibly by Tuesday or Wednesday.

She’s scheduled to meet with a group of health professionals who have children in CSD, with principals and other upper level CSD leadership and finally with teacher representatives from each of the district’s nine schools.

No decision, however, is written in stone. Any chosen scenario could change depending on CDC guidelines and new data regarding COVID-19.

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