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Richmond County School System to Start School September 8th

Staff Report

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020

Richmond County School System (RCSS) will proceed with a phased reopening plan for schools on September 8, 2020.

“We are ready,” said Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Richmond County Schools, as he made the following recommendations to Members of the Richmond County Board of Education (BOE) during a called meeting this evening:

  • September 8 –Begin Online and F2F Instruction for PreK-5 and K-8 schools

  • September 10 –Begin Online and F2F Instruction for Grades 6-12

  • September 29– Called BOE Meeting for F2F and Online Instruction Update

“Over the past month, our entire team has done the work to prepare for our students. Our teachers have trained for the virtual environment and for face to face instruction in the COVID environment,” said Bradshaw.  “We have trained our bus drivers, nutrition staff, counselors, custodians, and  staff to support our students safely.” Bradshaw added.

For RCSS schools to remain open, Bradshaw shared the following guidance:

  • Follow Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines and recommendations.

  • Monitor staff and student daily attendance.

  • Implement closure procedures:

    • School closure based on 10% absentee rate.

    • Classroom closure based on positive COVID-19 contact and cleaning requirements.

    • Communicate exposure with parents and staff using letters.

  • Assess community spread data

  • Monitor GHSA guidance and scheduled high school athletic events.

  • Delay Middle School sports while evaluating high school athletics. 

RCSS is requiring students wear masks on buses, in hallways and other transitions where social distancing and contact tracing may be difficult to accomplish.  Other safety protocols to support a safer school environment for staff and face to face students include assigned seating in classrooms and on buses.  The school system is requesting parents and staff implement a daily home screening procedure and stay home if they are sick.

Richmond County Schools are currently hosting Open House for virtual and face to face students. Parents seeking information about the start of school should contact their child’s school.