The following is a letter released from Dr. Kevin A. Judy, superintendent of Emanuel County Schools, on Thursday, March 26, 2020 about school closures due to the novel coronavirus.
Emanuel County Schools Community,
I pray this letter finds everyone healthy and well! I wanted to update you on the school district’s status and upcoming plans. As everyone is aware these are unprecedented times in the educational system, as well as our country. While everyone is trying to do their part by social distancing, washing hands more often, etc. we are all in a state of unknown. We have just received an executive order from the governor’s office that schools in the state of Georgia will remain closed through April 24, 2020. A decision about the rest of the school year will be made before this date.
We are posting on all social media sites and websites a Google Form survey to help us gather information regarding the availability of electronic devices and internet service throughout our county. Please take the time to answer this 13-question survey for each student in your household. Share this information with friends and family who have school-age children and assist those who may not have the technology available. We will gather this information and use it to help inform us about future decisions we may have to make.
Digital resources for general education students, as well as special education students, have been provided on the school district’s website. We are hoping these resources will assist parents and guardians during these closures to keep children engaged in learning while being at home.
Although the school district is not requiring any activities to be completed, we hope that families are using this time to encourage their children to read, use digital resources if they have the capabilities, as well as work with them on valuable life skills. I can tell you firsthand from the teachers and administrators that I have talked with, we are missing having your children at school working with us each day and we hope this closure will end soon.
For our senior students and parents, I know this is a difficult time missing out on many last events that are exciting during this time of year. At both high schools, proms have been re-scheduled to May 1 for ECI and May 8 for SHS. Regardless of the length of time our governor keeps school closed, there will be a point for graduation. We are hoping to keep everything as regularly scheduled. However, if the governor should close schools for the remainder of the year as several other states have done, we will find a time when its safe for everyone to hold the graduation ceremony.
For our middle school and high school athletes, Georgia High School Association (GHSA) will be meeting Friday to discuss how spring sports will be handled for the remainder of the school year. As we learn of this information, we will share it with you.
Finally, we are currently working with a company to provide a one-stop location for all school, district and emergency communication to our school district families. The name of the company is Kinvolved and it will provide back and forth communication as well as translate all disseminated information in 80+ languages. We want to ensure that all of our families are receiving on-time and timely information, especially during these trying times.
Emanuel County has been blessed to have no confirmed cases of the coronavirus at this point. We need everyone to continue to do their part and follow the 15-day plan of flattening the curve. I hope each of you remain healthy and we look forward to seeing our schools bustling with activity in the very near future!
Sincerely,
Kevin A. Judy
School Superintendent
