Charlton County Schools

Charlton County Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional School/Virtual School

Traditional School

• Will students’ temperatures be taken on a daily basis? No, we strongly encourage families to pre-screen students before sending them to school or bus stops.
• Will faculty and staff member have their temperature taken on a daily basis? Yes, all Charlton County employees will be evaluated daily for COVID-19 symptoms including temperature checks.
• Will students be required to wear masks? No, students are strongly encouraged to wear face masks, but it will not be required. One mask will be provided by the Governor’s Office.
• What steps will be taken to protect students and staff on the buses? Attempts will be made to reduce the number of students per bus including encouraging parents to transport students to school if at all possible (it will be impossible to fully social distance on our buses – masks are strongly encouraged) Frequently touched surfaces on the bus will be cleaned twice daily.
• What procedures will be in place regarding school cleaning and disinfecting? Cleaning and disinfecting routines in classrooms and frequently touched surfaces will be followed daily. Deep cleaning of each school will occur weekly as school will release at 1:00 pm every Wednesday for as long as necessary.
• What steps will be taken to minimize risk during lunch, recess, class changes, etc.? Each school has a plan to lower risk during the school day. (Example: staggered lunch schedules (30 minutes for lunch), smaller number of students at recess, monitoring of students, additional time for class change) Recess time will be scheduled and social distance guidelines will be followed as practical.
• Will I be allowed to bring an outside lunch into the school?  Not at this time due to minimizing exposure during the pandemic. Students may bring their lunch from home.
• Will my child receive one on one instruction during the school day? Yes, social distance guidelines will be used when practical.
• Will Charlton County Schools use social distancing in the classroom?  Teachers have been required to move unnecessary items out of the classrooms in order to maximize the instructional environment.
• What is the plan if traditional school has to be temporarily closed? Should a decision be made that will not allow in-person learning, Charlton County students will participate in a distance learning format. The distance learning format will be different than the virtual learning option for those students who are not returning to school. Teachers will utilize Google classroom and other resources to continue learning that was occurring in the traditional setting.
• Will Charlton County Schools have open house for the 2020-2021 school year? Open house will only be available to students who are NEW to a building. If your child was at the same school during the 2019-2020 school year, open house is not available to your child.
• Will college classes be available for the 2020-2021 school year? College classes will be available for the upcoming school year. College guidelines are developed and managed by the college and not the Charlton County School System.

Virtual Learning

• What platform will Charlton County use for virtual learning?  Charlton County Schools will use the Edmentum platform for virtual learning.  You can learn specifics about each learning product at https://www.edmentum.com/products.  Virtual learning requires a supportive parent or adult for the digital learning experience to be successful. Charlton County teachers will not be facilitating the virtual learning option.
• Will the virtual option be final once I return my virtual learning application?  Charlton County Schools will allow students return to school on August 5^th if the family chooses. Once the August 5^th date has passed, students will not be allowed to return to traditional learning until January 6, 2021.
• Will attendance be taken for the virtual learning option? No, virtual instruction will be self-paced and the parent or adult will ensure that students are accessing the program(s). Charlton County staff will be monitoring the usage of the Edmentum platform.
• Will live streaming be available for students choosing the virtual option?  No, virtual instruction will require the student to log into Edmentum’s learning platform. Charlton County teachers will not be teaching the virtual learning option.
• Will my child receive a grade during virtual learning?  Yes, grades will be issued while using the virtual learning option.
• Will my child have to take tests during virtual learning? Yes, students will be required to take Edmentum assessments during virtual learning.
• Will statewide assessment be required with the virtual learning option? Georgia has requested waivers from the United States Department of Education for the 2020-2021 school year, we will know this at a later date.
•  Will Charlton County Schools provide internet access or a device for my student?  No. The expectation is that students enrolled in virtual learning will have access to internet and a device.
• Can families change back to traditional learning before the end of the semester? No, once schools start on August 5, 2020, the traditional learning option will not be available until  January 6, 2021.
• Will meals be delivered for virtual learning?  There are no plans to distribute meals to virtual learning students at this time.
• Will my child have a schedule for virtual learning?  No, virtual learning will be self-paced through the Edmentum software. Students will not have to log into the platform at specific times.
•  If schools close for all students, will my child be allowed to change learning plans?  No, if school    closes for all students, the virtual learning students will not be allowed to change learning plans.
• Will my child have a teacher if we choose the virtual learning plan? No, the family will be responsible for ensuring that the student logs into the Edmentum program. Charlton County staff will be monitoring the usage of the programs. Charlton County teachers will not be facilitating the virtual learning option.
• Will my child receive special education services during virtual learning?  Yes, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings will be held if you choose the virtual learning option for your child with special needs.
• Will my child still be eligible to participate in extra-curricular or co-curricular activities (band, sports, cheerleading etc…)?  No, students in virtual learning will not be allowed to participate in these school activities.
  

Virtual school applications are due Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Further questions?  Email us at charltonschools@charlton.k12.ga.us

This plan is subject to change.  Revised 7/15/2020