Slowing the spread of virus

Public schools are closed through April 17 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but schools are using other methods to keep the children involved in learning.

The Marshall County School District is creating learning packets that students and parents can access online at home. Or they can pick up a packet at the school.

"Our district wants to provide opportunities for students to continue their learning while they are home and away from school," said superintendent of education Roy Lawson. "These packets are designed to give all students the opportunity to keep needed skills fresh."

He said grading is frozen at this time in the district.

Packets will be available to students on Thursday of this week.

Packets will be available for pick-up from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Individual schools will also have alternative methods to get packets to children, so reach out to the school if standard pick-up will not work for a particular family.

Staff members will be available to hand out packets in a "drive-through" method. Car passengers will not be allowed to exit their vehicles in order to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19.

The district's grab-and-go meals will still be in service at Byhalia, H.W. Byers, Galena and Potts Camp.

If students plan to access the packet online, they will first visit the district website ­ www.marshallcountysd.org. Then they will need to follow the link provided for "Learning Packets" for the grade they are in. Students will record their work on paper at home, and they should complete work for the classes they are currently enrolled in. All work should be kept at home at this time.

"The district does not want this work to be a burden," Lawson said. "Instead, use this time to complete the work at a comfortable place."

The district also has a link on its website for parents and students to use for additional learning resources and opportunities.

The Holly Springs School District began the process of passing out work packets for students last week during the bus stops for lunches.

Students who have internet and computer access can log on to iReady, USATestprep and other programs to work on the lessons assigned by teachers.

Students are expected to return packets when school is in session.

"We are trying to do more digital than the packets," said superintendent of education Irene Turnage.

She said the district plans to make more Chromebooks available this week.

"We thank you for your commitment to our students' continued learning," she said in a message to parents.

The Holly Springs School District has also partnered with the city to offer a community feeding program for any citizen ages 0-18 years. The Jesse Jackson Community Center (Old Intermediate School gymnasium) on Valley Street is being utilized for the feeding program.

Marshall Academy Marshall Academy this week launched its distance learning program for all grades utilizing a variety of methods, including Zoom video conferencing.

Families who do not have access to a digital device are being issued one through the school.

"Teachers and staff have worked hard to make the remote learning process successful, and the start-up has gone well," headmaster Barrett Donahoe said.

Marshall Academy is remaining closed "until it is determined that it is safe to return."

"Hopefully that will be sooner than later," Donahoe said.

"Please be assured that the health and safety of our students, teachers, staff and administrators are our top priority. We will continue to hope and pray that this situation changes, and that we will be able to re-introduce on-campus instruction soon."