Schools Update – Active Cases Back Down, Next Week All Students In-Person Learners

Shane Johnston, Director of Jefferson County, TN Schools – Regarding Covid-19 active cases and those in quarantine, the numbers when we returned earlier this week from Thanksgiving Break were significantly lower with active cases back down in the teens where we have basically been all year. The numbers have risen slightly over the week and we will continue to monitor students and staff number of active cases and those in quarantine.

The CDC did release some new guidance concerning the length of time individuals must be quarantined and our district will also be reviewing this information in collaboration with our local health department. The updated protocols will be posted on our webpage once the adjustments have been made.

Next week, all Jefferson County Students are scheduled to be in-person learners. Jefferson County High School students will return to in-person learning Monday, December 7, 2020. It is our plan for PreK-8^th grade students to remain in-person learners as well.

The next district wide Distance Learning Day is scheduled for Friday, December 11, 2020.

Jefferson County High School will also have a distance learning day on Monday, December 14, 2020. Both December 11^th and 14^th will be utilized at the high school for distance learning to allow distance learning families to send their children for state mandated end of course exams in test settings that are more isolated and easier to physically distance.

One final reminder, the state of Tennessee requires that all students take part in state mandated tests such as EOC tests at the high school level and TCAP for grades 2-8 in the Spring. By state statute, there is specific language that does not allow students to opt-out of state testing and by local board policy the tests are 15% of the final grade. Please contact your building administrator for more information or if you have questions and concerns about testing.

Thank you to our teachers and staffs for their continued hard work and to our parents for the support and flexibility during a difficult time for everyone involved.

Distance Learning Schedule – December 4^th – 14^th (2020)

Date In-Person Distance Learning

December 4, 2020 PreK-8^th Grades JCHS (9-12) Only

December 5, 2020 No School – Weekend

December 6, 2020 No School – Weekend

December 7, 2020 PreK-12^th Grades

December 8, 2020 PreK-12^th Grades

December 9, 2020 PreK-12^th Grades

December 10, 2020 PreK-12^th Grades

December 11, 2020 PreK-12^th Grades

December 12, 2020 No School – Weekend

December 13, 2020 No School – Weekend

December 14, 2020 PreK-8^th Grades JCHS (9-12) Only

• The scheduled listed above is subject to change based on updated numbers, staffing issues, and/or guidance from the local/regional/state health department
• December 15-18  TBA