While other districts have opted to end school early, four metro Area school districts (Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County Schools, Marietta City Schools, and Cobb County) have opted to keep school going to the end of the school as previously scheduled.
While Governor Kemp’s announcement that Georgia schools will remain closed through the end of the spring semester due to COVID-19, districts like Dekalb, Henry County, Carroll, Cherokee, and Carrollton City have made the decision to end classes early as May 1.
In a message to parents, Marietta City Schools Superintendent said, “While I respect such decisions by other school districts, I do not feel this approach is right for MCS. All students, not just those struggling with learning challenges, food insecurity, or technology gaps, are at-risk for falling behind when 25.3% of their school year was thrust into a new reality. This is not a time to become disconnected as a school community or to lower our expectations for supporting our students. We will continue to make every effort to connect, engage, and learn from now until May 22 (our “normal” last day of school)…”
At the Fulton County Board Meeting last Thursday Superintendent Mike Looney indicated that not would school not end early, and that from a district survey, found that many parents are requesting real-time face-to-face instruction with teachers, not just recorded lessons and packets.
While last week it was announced that Cobb County Schools would move to a four day work week for students and families, but there was no indication that Cobb would end the school year early. Instead, communication indicated that “While our school buildings are closed, the education process has not stopped. All staff are working remotely to best support students, including delivering digital and physical instructional resources to students while they’re at home.”
Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said in a communication to her families that “In order to provide ample time to clear seniors and ensure transcript/records accuracy, seniors’ last day will be Friday, May 1. Some school districts in Metro Atlanta have opted to shorten their school year, but we believe it in the best interest of our students to
maximize the instructional time we have.”