Graves Schools to Offer Virtual Classes This Year

Graves County Schools has released its plan to reopen classes for the 2020-2021 school year, which includes offering virtual online classes and new health measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In a memo released Wednesday, the Graves County Board of Education laid out new rules for the coming school year. These include asking students and school employees to stay home if feeling ill, and requiring parents of children who ride the bus to sign an affidavit attesting that they will not put their child on the bus if they have any virus-related symptoms. These symptoms include a temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees, cough, vomiting or diarrhea, a new rash, or a known exposure to COVID-19 within a 48 hour period.

Students and employees who develop any of the above symptoms while at school will be sent home. Students displaying symptoms will be placed under adult supervision away from other students until a parent or guardian can pick them up. Anyone displaying symptoms will not be allowed to return to school until they are cleared by a healthcare provider or they are symptom free for at least 72 hours. Anyone who tests positive for the virus will not be allowed to return until released by the Graves County Health Department.

The school system said it will cancel any incentives that encourage good attendance for the entire school year, as these might encourage sick students to come to school. When students return, they will be instructed on healthy habits; including proper hand washing, sanitizer use, and proper coughing/sneezing techniques.

The school system says students will also be given the choice of traditional in-person instruction, or may choose a virtual curriculum. Families choosing to use the virtual curriculum will complete coursework through an online program called Edgenuity. Students will work through courses at their own pace, with teachers assigned to monitor progress and performance. Students attending virtually will get progress reports every nine weeks.

Families wishing to pursue the virtual curriculum option should contact their student's school by July 22. Classes are set to begin Aug. 6.