DCS releases plans for school start in January

Supt. Kyle Kallhoff released the following information concerning the start of school in January as it relates to the coronavirus pandemic:

In a meeting of the Board on Monday evening, Dec. 14, it was decided that students at DMS and DHS will return Jan. 4 on a staggered school week. Students at Westside and U.S. Jones will return that day to a regular school week and school day.

Pay close attention to school system media and social media for updates and changes throughout the month of December.

This decision was derived from projections of positive student cases of COVID-19 at DMS and DHS after the Christmas break, based on what we experienced after one week off for Thanksgiving. By staggering the school weeks, we will have only half capacity in our classrooms which will allow us to social distance better and reduce the number of students who may come in close contact with another student who is experiencing symptoms or is asymptomatic with COVID-19.

Here is an outline of the staggered week for DMS and DHS for the Month of January:

• Students with last names beginning with the letters A-J  will be on campus Monday and Tuesday, online Wednesday and Extended Learning Thursday and Friday.
• Students with last names beginning with the letters K-Z  will  be on campus Thursday and Friday, online Wednesday and Extended Learning Monday and Tuesday. 
• Feeding Program will continue; three days of meals will be sent home each week.
• Positive COVID cases will be re-evaluated in mid-January to determine if staggered weeks need to be continued in February.

Our teachers are using the week of Dec. 14-18 to work out the details and prepare for our students’ return. Later this week, both DHS and DMS will post more information to help our parents and stakeholders with this alternative schedule.

Please understand that this move is to slow down the spread of COVID-19 to keep from having to move to full remote learning.

You can help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area by following these precautions.

• Make sure you wear a mask while in public.

• Make sure your mask covers your nose and mouth.

• Make sure you wash your hands frequently.

• Do not share food or drinks with others.

• Make sure you cover when you cough or sneeze.

• Frequently wash winter coats, jackets, cardigans, etc…

• Do not attend social gatherings. If you do, be sure you and others wear masks and practice social distancing.

We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause and hope we can get back to a full typical school week for all of our Demopolis Tigers in February.