From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — Trussville City Schools will waste no time in converting to a new academic plan in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill laid out the first steps for TCS to finish the school year through online instruction on Thursday.
Neill’s announcement came just hours after State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey confirmed that Alabama public schools will not reopen campuses for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.
In a letter to parents, Neill explained that TCS would follow the governor’s restrictions on extracurricular activities and focus on the transition to online learning. She said the school year could extend past the planned closing of May 22 until June 5, if needed. Additionally, she mapped out the next week and a half for teachers and students.
Teachers will begin preparatory work on Monday, March 30. Students will begin online classes on Monday, April 6.
Neill pledged that the TCS faculty and staff would rise to meet the challenge of what she called the “new normal.” The plans include the use of technology and a redesign of instruction for teachers and students. Additionally, Neill’s letter explained the meal plan for students while they remain out of school next week.
You can read Neill’s complete letter below;
COVID-19 School Closure Update for Trussville City Schools:
Today, March 26, 2020, the Governor announced that Alabama schools are closed through the end of the school year to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This includes sporting events, field trips, and extra-curricular activities. Safety is our first priority!
The TCS calendar ends May 22 but all Alabama schools can provide online instruction through June 5 as needed. TCS faculty and staff will rise to meet the need for a new instructional delivery system that will create a “new normal” for students for the end of the 2019-20 school year. We will meet the challenge to redesign teaching and learning in the form of online instruction. Co-teaching and alternative methods of instructional delivery will also be available in some circumstances.
March 30 – April 3 will be planning time for teachers and staff to prepare for the start of online classes April 6, 2020. We are using a Classroom to Cloud platform to deliver instruction for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. Alternative instruction may occur for some students.
Important Information for Instruction and Meals
Instruction:
Friday, April 3, look for the link to be sent through our mass communication system with instructions to get started Monday, April 6 in the Classroom to Cloud platform and other alternative instructional delivery methods from your child’s teachers.
Meals:
Friday, March 27, information will be sent out through our mass communication system for meal orders for March 30 – April 3 for pick up at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. Thereafter, the link for meals will be sent each Friday by the mass communication system for the following week.
On a personal note, please stay well and healthy. We are in an unprecedented time of rapid change as we navigate the educational impact of the COVID-19 virus. So, I encourage you to practice social distancing, patience, and kindness as we adapt to these uncertain circumstances. Parents are part of our team and this is a transformational time to become better, wiser and stronger on the other side of this pandemic.
Dr. Pattie Neill, Superintendent
Trussville City Schools