DCSD: Students to return to classes in phases beginning March 9

Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris

At tonight’s “State of the District” address, DeKalb County School District (DCSD) will announce its plans for students to begin returning to classrooms under Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. In Phase Two and Phase Three, cohorts of students will participate in hybrid, in-person learning based on their choice to attend school. Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, sixth grade, and ninth-grade students will begin in-person learning on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The remaining grade levels will start on Monday, March 15, 2021, during Phase Three. The School Board meets tonight(Feb. 23) at 5:30 p.m.

“I am excited about the return to face-to-face instruction,” Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said. “This has been a tough, but necessary decision. We will continue to make the safety of our scholars and staff our number one priority and soar together.”

Schools will organize all classes into two cohorts based on last name and/or instructional program to adhere to social/physical distancing requirements, facilitate testing and contact tracing, and minimize transmission across cohorts.

“Superintendent Watson-Harris will effectively outline the impact of COVID-19 as well as the goals of the district,” said DeKalb Board of Education Chair Vickie Turner. “I am grateful for the very diligent and thoughtful work that has been demonstrated by this staff along with the leadership team. It goes without question, virtual learning has presented some serious challenges to our students, our families and our staff. The superintendent is to be commended for facing those challenges head on and coming up with viable solutions that will ultimately benefit our students.  As we move forward with the hybrid plan and re-opening of schools, we will follow every evidence-based recommendation to keep our teachers and students safe.”

“Superintendent Watson-Harris has worked tirelessly to lead the school district through the pandemic and continues to improve the District,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb Government supports her efforts to eliminate barriers to success so that our students will continue to excel.”

More information on the DCSD’s reopening plan can be found at https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/school-reopening/.

To watch the State of District event-themed “Elevating the DCSD experience to a new standard of excellence,” click here https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/communications/dstv/