All public schools will be closed through the end of the month of March thanks to an executive order issued by Governor Brian Kemp on Monday.
The news came Monday evening via press release.
“In accordance with newly issued federal guidance, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed Executive Order 3.16.20.01 closing all public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary public schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020 to March 31, 2020,” the news release said.
“To keep our students, teachers, and administrators safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I am ordering the closure of all public elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools in Georgia from March 18, 2020 to March 31, 2020,” Governor Kemp was quoted saying. “This measure is critical to reducing local transmission in communities across our state, and I ask Georgians to continue to follow best practices – washing their hands regularly, isolating the elderly and chronically ill, and avoiding large events if possible – in the days and weeks ahead.”
A number of public schools had not yet announced their closure Monday, hoping to garner as many in-school days as possible before an order was issued.
School districts can still choose to remain closed beyond the March 31st date.
What will the Georgia Department of Education do to help students continue learning if schools close?
School districts across Georgia have been preparing for potential closures for several weeks. GaDOE advised districts to develop a plan to continue student learning should they need to close, using resources such as study packets, cable access, virtual school/online classes, etc. GaDOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning has compiled virtual educational resources that will be provided to support schools’ efforts. We are also working with partners to develop additional resources.
Click here to access these resources; this page will be continually updated.
03.16.20.01
