Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information & Updates

From: Mrs. Ramona Tyson, Interim Superintendent April 1, 2020 I am trusting that you and your families are safe and healthy. As we continue to combat the COVID-19 health crisis, it is necessary to make tough decisions that are in the best interest of our students and staff. One of those tough decisions was announced during Governor Kemp's 4:00 pm news conference. The Governor presented a new executive order that includes the closure of Georgia K-12 schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This is a major shift from all previous announcements. However, the nature of our current public health crisis requires that we take extreme measures. The health, safety, and well-being of our [...]

From: Mrs. Ramona Tyson, Interim Superintendent Coronavirus (COVID-19): Information for DeKalb County School District Students, Employees, and Families March 27, 2020 03.27.2020 - Information for DeKalb County School District Students, Employees, and Families DeKalb County School District is continuing to collaborate with and follow guidance received from the DeKalb County Board of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Public Health. We are also adhering to decisions and rulings made by the Georgia Department of Education and the Governor’s Office. As announced yesterday by Governor Kemp, DeKalb County School District will remain closed until April 24, 2020. As a district, we recognize that we must [...]

To: DeKalb County School District Families From: Mrs. Ramona Tyson, Interim Superintendent Subject: Instructional and Related Services for Students with IEP’s and 504 Plans Date: March 24, 2020 03.24.2020 - Instructional & Related Services for Students with IEP’s and 504 Plans Due to the serious nature of the current COVID-19 outbreak, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) closed schools March 16, 2020 until further notice and instituted Digital Learning Days (DLD) for all students. Teachers are providing students with virtual learning assignments that are content-specific and relevant. It is important that we consider how technologies can be harnessed to provide instructional services to all learners, including students with disabilities and 504 plans. [...]

To: DeKalb County School District Employees, Parents, Community Stakeholders From: Ramona Tyson, Interim Superintendent Date: March 23, 2020 03.23.2020 - Confirmed COVID-19 Case Today, March 23, 2020, the DeKalb County Board of Health (DBOH) notified the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) of its first confirmed case of COVID-19. However, in this case, there is no exposure to students. The DBOH is communicating directly with the employee and investigating to determine if there was close contact between the staff member who tested positive and other employees. Per guidance from health officials, the identity of the employee must be kept confidential, but we can disclose that the employee did not work at a school.The DBOH [...]

To: DeKalb County School District Families From: Ramona Tyson, Interim Superintendent Date: March 23, 2020 (updated 03-30-2020) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released updated tips for keeping our students healthy while out of school.This resource for parents and guardians can be accessed by clicking the link below. CDC: Children and Coronavirus Disease 2019 Tips to Keep Children Healthy while School’s Out (March 23, 2020) Please adhere to all protocols and guidance given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Public Health, and the DeKalb County Board of Health. Remember to practice social distancing and healthy hand washing (a minimum of 20 seconds).

To: DeKalb County School District Families From: Ramona Tyson, Interim Superintendent Date: March 20, 2020 Subject: COVID-19 Update 03.20.2020 - COVID-19 Update Mrs. Ramona Tyson Thank you for your patience as we navigate these first-time experiences and this period of uncertainty for all Georgia school districts. Know that we do not take the opportunity and the responsibility to serve our families lightly. As we continue to collaborate with our neighboring school districts, local, state and national health partners, the Governor’s Office, and the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE), we want to provide updates for you. Detailed below is the most recent information we are able to [...]

March 17, 2020 03.17.2020 - Expansion of Meal Sites The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will expand the number of meal sites per region effective Thursday, March 19, 2020.  This will allow more students to receive meals within each Region. The additional 7 sites are: Region I John Robert Lewis ES Region II Avondale ES Region III Stephenson MS Region IV Freedom MS Region V Miller Grove MS Region VI Peachcrest ES Region VII Cedar Grove ES With the addition of these 7 sites, DCSD meal service will be available [...]

March 16, 2020 – Suspension of State Testing and Accountability Requirements 03.16.2020 - Fact Sheet: Impact of COVID-19 on Assessments and Accountability under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act According to a press release notification received today from the Georgia Department of Education, due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the closure of many public schools, State Superintendent Richard Woods is suspending the following until further notice: State assessment window/administration (including Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade and End-of-Course assessments, the Georgia Alternate Assessment/GAA 2.0, and all other required testing), Teacher and leader evaluation (TKES/LKES) requirements and reporting, and State-level attendance-related consequences (including CCRPI, TKES/LKES, School Climate Star Rating, and make-up day requirements). Also, at the State Board [...]

Comcast officials has announced that the company taking steps to implement new policies for the next 60 days to help ensure people stay connected to the Internet during COVID-19 (coronavirus) closures. One of those steps includes free Xfinity WiFi. Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free—including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots and then launch a browser.