Schools adjusting to shutdown

With the current COVID-19 pandemic looming and social distancing guidelines in place, the Escambia County (Ala.) School System will continue to provide free meals at three locations three days a week as Superintendent John Knott works with department heads, principals and others to finalize the details of how educational opportunities outside school will happen though the end of this school year.

Knott said that after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey announced that students would not return to classrooms for the rest of this school year, Knott and others began working to develop potential plans to work on educational and other opportunities for students, but it would not be in the traditional manner.

"Last Friday, superintendents across the state had webinars with Dr. Mackey," said Knott. "After that, there have been continuing webinars with different members of the department of education about curriculum and a variety of operational requirements, which are still ongoing this week."

Knott said a plan was set in motion Monday for three days a week, to feed students who normally ate at school, with multiple meals including two breakfasts and two lunches per child on Monday and Wednesday, then breakfast and lunch on Friday.

"We've had tremendous response," said Knott. "About 300 meals were given out from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at W.S. Neal High School and at Flomaton Elementary School, with about 420 meals given out at Escambia County Middle School. That will continue on Monday, Wednesday and Friday as of right now."

Knott noted school officials are still in the process of fine tuning operations for doing that, keeping in mind that a limited number of people can be brought in and the staff is minding protocols and following policies to keep everyone safe.

"We take temperatures and have questionnaires to be filled, which is ongoing to make sure we are not exposing anyone to any health threats," he said.

Knott said the school meal service is at maximum capacity, after the number was raised for Wednesday. The staff prepared meals for 500 at ECMS and about 400 at other two schools, providing nutritional needs for children.

On Tuesday, Knott met with department heads and principals and started working on plan on how to provide educational enhancements for students enrolled in the county school system.

"We are in the planning process, still ironing out details," said Knott. "We will release it completely when we get it together. We will see where each student is then devise an avenue for determining a final grade, and communicate that. We have students at risk and students who have not met minimum requirements, we will work with them on individual basis to get them to pass that grade and be promoted. Most students are on the track to be able to be promoted to the next grade."

Knott said the system they are working on will include a way for students who are on track to graduate or pass and will have special plans and opportunities for students who need help to get back on track.

Knott said that in grades K through 8, reading and math will be the focus, and in high school the required subject areas will be the focus. He emphasized that the health and safety of all students are critical and that all precautions and suggestions given out by state and national health authorities are followed.

"We will make sure to look out for students," said Knott. "We are not going to over burden families. We are going to look out for the safety and welfare of all our staff."

Graduation

As far as graduation for area seniors, Knott said he has been instructed that there will be no gathering of students, no face-to-face meetings until June 5.

Knott said he understands the importance of having a ceremony to finalize the educational process, but that is a detail they have not have ironed out but there will probably be offered several different options.

"That will probably be fluid also, due to the health crisis," said Knott. "When some of the restrictions are lifted."

Internet access for students

Knott said he, the board and educators understand the importance of internet access for all students in the current situation and that some surveys about internet education brought that data to light.

"We are going to provide students a chance to have access to the same basic learning opportunities across the board, whether they have Internet or do not have Internet, based on learning packets that the state has identified," he said. "We are still working on the plan and get that to our students. We will have that plan in place by the first of next week. We are trying to be very mindful that we do a very good job of trying to consider everyone's situation and come up with a plan that meet the needs of all. We understand there is a large number who do not have Internet access and even a larger number that do not have computer devices in their home."

Knott referenced that cell phones have replaced most laptops and computer in the home, much of the time and the plan will not put any undo burden on any family.

Knott noted the one thing the school system does have county-wide that was initiated last year, a system in place where teachers can access all students information and be able to communicate with parents through text, email or phone.

"They can do that through personal devices at home or through their computer," said Knott. "The vast majority of parents have already been communicating with teachers through that system. It's a really great system that gives us the opportunity to use different methods of communication, a great opportunity to have that contact. We have been discussing setting up a schedule where teachers will be accessible to students and parents to answer questions."

Knott said this is the first time the school system has had to deal with a pandemic. He said even though hurricanes have forced school to be out for an extended time, this is the first time the school system has experienced a time where a pandemic is involved and schools were closed for an extended period of time.

"One of the reasons this is taking time is because we are making sure we limit physical access, do things virtually, and all that is new for us," said Knott. "We have to work the bugs out of these things to learn how to operate virtually."

He said all testing requirements for this year, both state and federal, have been waived.

"The federal and state governments have already put in provisions where we will not be penalized for reporting and accountability," he said. "There has been some flexibility given on funds. Some enrollment counts that have already been taken will be OK, but there are other enrollment numbers that have not been taken. Dr. Mackey has done a great job on addressing these issues and working through them. I am confident they will make sure we are provided what we need to do our job."

Knott said plans for educating students from a place other than the classroom will be posted on the education board's website and Facebook page early next week and parents and students will be well-informed of a detailed plan to finish out their school year.