3D illustration of corona virus coronavirus COVID-2019 in microscope

Atlanta- The surge in COVID cases has metro Atlanta schools adjusting their plans for students and staff for a return to school after the holiday break. Here are the changes that are known to date.

School Districts 

Cobb County Schools: As of December 30, 2021, there has not been an update.

Gwinnett County Schools: As of January 4, 2022, Gwinnett County Public Schools will implement updated mask guidance based on community transmission as determined by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).

Decatur City Schools: City Schools of Decatur teachers and staff are now required to get their COVID-19 booster shot by January 31, 2022.

Fulton County Schools: FCS staff are in contact with our health partners at the Georgia Department of Public Health and Fulton County Board of Health about the rise of COVID cases in our community and the new Omicron variant. No adjustments are being made to our protocols at this time. However, we will communicate again on Friday, Dec. 31, with our current situation and any possible changes.

Marietta City Schools: As of December 30, 2021, there has not been an update.

Atlanta Public Schools: Atlanta Public Schools offices are scheduled to reopen on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, with students returning to classes on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. The district will continue its strict COVID-19 mitigation protocols, which include mandatory testing twice a week for employees, voluntary testing for students, and mandatory masks for everyone inside an APS school or office building. 

Students and employees should also refrain from attending in-person school or work when they are ill, have symptoms of COVID-19, or while they are awaiting test results.

Currently, district administrators are monitoring available data on infection rates in Fulton and DeKalb County and have emergency staffing plans in place for schools, if needed. The district will inform parents and employees this week if any changes are made to the reopening of offices and schools.

DeKalb County Schools: Currently, DeKalb County School District (DCSD) plans to resume in-person instruction on Monday, January 3, 2022. DCSD continues to monitor trends in reported COVID-19 cases, including the recently reported increase in the spread of the Omicron Variant.

DCSD continues to follow the guidance from the CDC to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and we remain confident in our ability to keep our school community safe. That guidance includes continuing our mask policy and reevaluating it in the Spring. The district will resume its COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics in the new year. DCSD also encourages everyone to continue practicing social distancing, wash their hands and follow the CDC’s mitigation strategies.

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