Gwinnett County School District lays out plan to phase in face-to-face learning

Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest public school district in Georgia, has been in the spotlight this week because of dozens of teachers who either tested positive or said they were exposed to COVID-19 just a few days after reporting for in-person pre-planning. Some 260 teachers did not report for work this week as a result. 

Even with that news, the district on Tuesday announced its latest plan to return students to school for in-person instruction. 

The school district plans to return to school on Aug. 12 with all students receiving digital instruction. Beginning Aug. 26, Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks said the district will transition to a blend of in-person and virtual learning, starting with the youngest students at each school level (elementary, middle, high). More grades will be added on a staggered basis with all grades returning for in-person learning by Sept. 9.

Parents still have the option to choose 100-percent virtual learning for their children. 

Wilbanks noted that the plan is fluid and could change depending on COVID-19 conditions in the county. Gwinnett County at last report continued to have the second-highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Georgia. 

Framework for Implementing Parents’ Choice of In-Person Instruction for their Students

** Includes students who spend the majority of the day in a small-group setting: Severe/Moderate & Mild Autism; Severe/Profound, Moderate & Mild Intellectual Disabilities; Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities; ADAPT; GNETS; Visual Impairment; Moderate Visual Impairment; Orthopedic Impairment; Significant Developmentally Delayed; Specific Learning Disabilities (self-contained); Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Program (special needs pre-school).