OBION COUNTY SCHOOLS PLAN IN PLACE TO RE-OPEN AUG. 4

July 10, 2020
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(EDITOR'S NOTE: THE FOLLOWING WAS SUBMITTED, FOLLOWING A REQUEST BY THE CURRENT, REGARDING THE PROPOSED OPENING OF OBION COUNTY SCHOOLS AUG. 4, RECEIVED FROM TIM WATKINS, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS, OBION COUNTY SCHOOLS, THIS AFTERNOON).

Accompanying this article submitted by Mr. Watkins are two charts, designating preparations for the 2020-2021 school year. These charts depict information based on the level of the virus spread in Obion County. Under each phase, is found a description of how the school system will operate during that level of virus activity within the county.

7/10/20

Dear Obion County Schools, Students, Parents, and Staff

Obion County Schools truly believes that is in the best interest of our students academically, socially, and emotionally to be in a traditional school setting. We at Obion County Schools agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics statement about the importance of students attending school. They stated, “Schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being and provide our children and adolescents with academic instruction, social and emotional skills, safety, reliable nutrition, physical/speech and mental health therapy, and opportunities for physical activity, among other benefits.” We also realize that the Obion County Schools have a major impact on the economy of our county and region of the state and therefore need schools to be open so parents can return to work.

Obion County Schools plan to open schools for students on August 4th as planned in our 2020-2021 school calendar. As always, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority daily. We will be taking extra precautions and steps to ensure that safety is maintained. We will thoroughly clean each building and buses daily with special attention to high touch areas. Protocols for monitoring students and staff have been developed and will be implemented in all school facilities. Protocols for handling students and staff who may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are showing symptoms have been developed and will be implemented in all school facilities. The protocols and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, monitoring, and handling students and staff were developed in coordination with the guidance from the CDC, State Health Department, and American Academy of Pediatrics.
The following document contains the reopening plans that are currently in place for Obion County Schools. The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-changing situation. These plans along with the guidelines that we are following will be continually evaluated and adjusted to meet the needs of Obion County Schools.