Savannah To Offer In-Person School Option

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Survey results show opinions differ among parents and staff on returning to in-person learning in Savannah.

Credit: SCCPSS

After starting the school year online, Savannah schools will now let students and teachers decide whether to spend part of their time in the classroom. Under the plan approved by the Savannah-Chatham school board Wednesday, the first students will return Oct. 5.

The plan pairs students who want to learn in-person two days a week with teachers who want to work that way amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Several board members at the meeting said it’s too soon for in-person classes, but parents requested the option. The plan ultimately passed 8-1.

Board member David Bringman said parents need to understand this will not be school as usual.

“Quarantining will occur, and please be prepared to have your student have the likelihood of having to stay home for 10-14 days during quarantining,” Bringman said. “Please choose wisely.”

He noted that many students returning to classrooms will end up with different teachers.

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Chatham County's COVID-19 Community Transmission Index as of September 14.

Credit: Georgia DPH Coastal Health District

A survey showed most school staff want lower COVID-19 levels before returning, with 58% saying in-person learning should resume when the Community Transmission Index is at its lowest, “green” level – 0 to 10 cases per 100,000 residents. Among parents, 48% favored waiting for community transmission to drop that low.

Chatham County was in the highest, “red” CTI zone as of Monday, with 265.9 newly confirmed cases per 100,000 people in the last two weeks.

Board members expressed concern some teachers could feel pressured to return before they are ready.

“It is not my desire unless directed otherwise to force anyone to involve themselves in face-to-face instruction,” said Superintendent Ann Levett, adding that she wants to accommodate teachers who want to return to classrooms and those who don’t feel safe.

She did not respond to board concerns that teachers could feel pressure or face retaliation for opting not to return.

Levett did acknowledge that this plan could lead to “capacity issues.” The district’s survey showed families were more eager to return to school than teachers.

Officials said there will likely be a waitlist for students to return to classrooms.

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Savannah's plan for a phased return to in-person learning.

Credit: SCCPSS

Under the plan, students who choose to come back will return to in-person instruction for two days a week, with the other three days online. The in-person students will be split into two groups to limit the numbers in school buildings at once.

Students who choose to will be allowed to remain virtual.

The first phase of hybrid reopening will include prekindergarten through second grade, sixth grade and first-time ninth grade students, as well as students the district called the “least independent learners.” The latter group includes students with special needs.

Teachers are scheduled to return to school buildings Sept. 28, with students following Oct. 5.