Pickens Turns to Distance Learning vs Returning After Holidays
Dragon's Corner, Featured Stories, News January 4, 2021
UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSITION TO DISTANCE LEARNING
Dragon's Corner, News December 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2020
UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSITION TO DISTANCE LEARNING
Jasper, Georgia – The district is providing additional information regarding our COVID-19 numbers within the system
along with details about meals and information from schools.
• Pickens County School District has seen a spike in cases within the school district. There are currently
(2:45 p.m. on 12/16/20):
o 451 individuals in quarantine or isolation
o 30 individuals who are positive for COVID-19
o 25 individuals who are awaiting test results
• Of the 451 individuals, 37 are employees and approximately 32 of those individuals would require a
substitute. It would be extremely difficult to adequately cover these positions. The numbers reported
above represent cases related to COVID-19 and do not include those who might be absent for other
reasons. The total number in quarantine/isolation represents close to 10% of our school district
population.
• Pickens County School District is the largest employer in our area. Seeing first-hand the sudden spike
in numbers of positive cases within the system, we believe that remaining open would continue to
increase the burden on our local healthcare providers.
Here is a comparison from yesterday morning to this afternoon:
Date Positive Cases Total Q/I Total Employees out
7:30 AM
12/15 13 270 17
2:45 PM
12/16 30 451 37
• Christmas is important to our school staff and students. All elementary schools along with Jasper
Middle School will host their classroom Christmas parties on Friday, January 8th. If your child did
not bring their gifts, ornaments, etc. home with them yesterday, teachers will be reaching out
between now and Friday. If you have questions, you may call your child’s school.
• Meals for students: Bus Routes (see attached schedule) and curbside service (11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.)
at all schools will be available on Thursday ONLY. Students will receive meals for Thursday and
Friday.
• If you have any questions, please reach out to your school administrator or the district office.
Lunch Buses
12/17/2020
Bus S76: Mountainside Manor Apartments (264 Bill Hasty Blvd, Jasper GA) (Load lunches @HES)
Bus S56: Foothills IGA Market (70 Foothills Pkwy, Marble Hill GA) (Load lunches @TES)
Bus S77: Hinton Milling (9272 GA-53, Jasper GA) (Load lunches @HCE)
Bus S57: Old Twin Tanks (Henderson Mountain Rd @ Hwy 53 W.) (Load lunches @JMS)
Bus S58: North Ave @ Pickens St. (11:15) (Load lunches @PHS)
Mount Calvary Apartments (11:25-11:35)
Cherokee Trail @ Cherokee Wood Hollow Drive (11:50 – 12:00)
Lawsons Landing-Bridle Path Drive @ Brigadier Ct. (12:05 – 12:15)
Eagles Nest-Eagles Perch Rd. @ Eagles Nest Trail (12:20 – 12:30)
Bus S59: Mineral Springs Rd. N. @ Diane St. (11:10) (Load lunches @PJHS)
Bethany Rd. @ Danburg Ct. (11:25)
Bethany Rd. @ Moorings Run (11:35)
Mountain Lake Dr. @ Ridge Dr. (11:55)
Ridge Dr. @ Ridge Crest (12:05)
Henderson Woods Dr. @ S. Woods Court (12:15)
Bus S 47: Twin Mountain Lakes (11:15-11:30) (Load lunches @JMS)
Hood Rd. @ Hannah Ridge Apartments (11:35-11:40)
Gennett Dr. @ Hood Park Dr. (11:45-11:50)
Birch St. @ small complex just past Woodbridge Inn (11:55-12:00)
Forest Glen Apartments (12:05-12:10)
Library Lane (12:15-12:30)
Bus S46: Hobson Road (from Philadelphia to Whispering Waters) (11:15-11:30) (Load lunches @HCES)
Whitetail Dr. @ Little Doe (11:35-11:40)
Daisy Lane @ Hobson Dr. (11:45-11:50)
Mill Creek Dr. @ Mill Creek Pond (11:55-12:00)
Whispering Waters Dr. @ Whispering Pebble Trail (12:05-12:10)
Lance Rd to Mountain Laurel Dr. (12:15-12:25)
Jones Rd. to Hidden Creek Rd. (12:25-12:30)
Pickens County Schools move to distance learning due to COVID-19 spike
Dragon's Corner, News December 15, 2020
Pickens County Schools Systems released the following information today:
Due to increased health concerns and a rapid spike in COVID-19 cases in our community, The Pickens County School District will be implementing distance learning for the next three days 12/16/20-12/18/20. Distance learning assignments will be posted on its learning platform and devices will be sent home with students. If your child does not bring home their device, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office to make arrangements to pick up the device.
On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, inclement weather is expected in our area. All of the staff should report at 10:00 a.m. Staff will also be reporting to their work locations the remainder of the week and should adhere to safety protocols already in place regarding masks and social distancing.
Meals will be available curbside at all schools tomorrow, Wednesday 12/16/20 from 11:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. More information will be shared tomorrow regarding meals on Thursday.
Read about the parked RV park in Pickens
An adjustment has been made in the return date for students following Christmas break. Students will return to school on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, due to the fact that many of our schools serve as voting precincts. Monday and Tuesday (1/4/21 and 1/5/21) will be teacher workdays for staff.
We appreciate the support as we continually work to keep up our students and staff safe. Updated information will be provided on the Pickens County School District website, the Infinite Campus parent portal, our district website, social media website, and sent to local media.
BOE updates Distance Learning and Calendar Survey
News December 4, 2020
JASPER, Ga. – With focused consideration for students “not on track” in classwork, the Pickens County Board of Education heard an update on Distance Learning from Curriculum Director Anita Walker.
Pickens is returning as many students as possible to in-person learning rather than virtual learning. Walker noted that they have had students “not-on-track” returning to in-person for multiple reasons varying from a dislike or disconnection with the Pearson program, including some technical issues the school overcame in the first part of the semester, to issue with difficulty of use and focus to scheduling conflicts with younger children who need parental help with the programs while the parents might be working full-time.
While the schools have some experiencing difficulties, many others are succeeding and progressing in the virtual learning. More success was seen in lower grades, Kindergarten to 4th Grade.
Walker did note, however, that she felt that in-person is usually going to provide better educational experiences for the majority of students.
During her presentation, Walker pointed out some details that may be contributing to those not on track with the program including time spent with the program. She broke down data specifically focused on those in that category based on grade levels and compared them to the number of students spending more or less that 30 hours a week on the program.
Touching on support for the program and changes to bolster their efforts to support students and families choosing virtual learning, Walker noted the teachers efforts such as a tutoring program that virtual and in-person students can take advantage of. They are also putting extensions on some class work to aid in students needing that.
On the other side, with about 60 students moving from in-person to virtual learning for various reasons, Walker said the school encouraged students and families to come in a go over the program so that they would no and understand all of the requirements and needs involved with the program before fully committing to virtual learning.
Distance learning was not the only discussion for the day, however, as the board looked closer at results from a survey over the school calendar for 2021-2022.
Nearing the mid-point of the school year, early discussion is already coming in for the next school year as Pickens County is going through the lengthy process of adopting a school year calendar.
According to Superintendent Dr. Rick Townsend, a survey was taken with input from students, parents, employees, and residents/business owners.
Of the 1209 replies to the survey, the boards report indicated that 500 were parents, 298 employees, 60 students, and 39 residents/business owners.
The vast majority emphasized a great importance on Thanksgiving and Christmas and not changing those breaks.
Additionally, 70% of the response said they would prefer a digital learning day for snow days or inclement weather rather than making those days up during winter break.
Many comments supported moving back the start date of school into mid to late August, but the board was told that hey would have to do away with several breaks to incorporate that change.
While the recommendation is set to be the same calendar as previously recommended, the board will be voting on the calendar next Thursday, December 10, 2020.
BOE special called meeting to discuss distance learning
Board of Education, News November 4, 2020
Rick Townsend, Superintendent of Pickens County Schools.
The Pickens County Board of Education will have a special called meeting on Friday, Nov. 6 at 10 a.m.
This special called meeting will be held at the Pickens County Board of Education Central Office, 100 D.B. Carroll Street, Jasper, Georgia and will follow the governor’s guidelines for groups of people gathering. The school system recently closed due to COVID-19 cases increasing.
Below is the agenda for the special called meeting.
The Pickens County Board of Education will meet on Friday, November 6 at 10:00 am for a called board work session and will follow the governor’s guidelines for groups of people gathering. The agenda is included, or can be viewed here.
Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Approval of Agenda
III. School Board Work Session
A. Distance Learning Update
- Teaching& Learning Commitment Form
- Pickens Virtual Academy
- itsLearning
B. COVIDUpdate
C. Board Meetings and Training – November & December 2020
IV. Adjourn
On-line and distance learning shaping up well in Pickens County
Community, Featured Stories March 25, 2020
On-line and distance learning is going well for Pickens County and schools are even finding ways to encourage school spirit, despite the sudden closure of schools.
Schools in Pickens County are encouraging families to share their pictures of how schooling is going at home during the isolation.
“We’re more than pleased,” said Destini Shope, Director of Communication and Public Engagement, said.
Most of the “kinks” were very early in the process and most were because so many people were trying to access the internet, causing delays and some connectivity issues. Some issues were at the opposite end of the spectrum– parents didn’t have internet.
“ETC provided access around the country, which has been a huge help,” said Shope, saying that parents have been able to go to the free locations, downloading the work and bringing it home.
Getting it done
Shope said the schools director of technology, Patrick Shea, estimated that about 80-percent, or 3,440 of the 4,300 students are doing their work virtually while the remaining 20-percent, or 860, have opted for hard copy packets.
“Teachers are monitoring the work the students are doing online,” she said.
Shope said Pickens Junior High School showed data indicating that 95.04-percent of their seventh-grade students and 95.77-percent of their eighth-grade students are submitting work.
Day 4 pictures show students busy working on school and life skills while the schools are closed.
The remaining 20-percent of students are using the packets, provided by schools on a weekly basis, said Shope.
Tate Elementary makes packets up by grade, placing the work in plastic bags so parents can “grab and go,” said Shope.
The packets have their plus-sides, too, said Shope. It’s easier for parents to manage, especially when children have to go to a sitter.
“We are more than pleased,” said Shope. “They’ve made the transition seamless.”
She said the junior high school has set a goal for themselves to make it to 100-percent.
Both Harmony Elementary and the junior high school are holding virtual spirit days, to keep up school spirit. Instead of traditional “in-school” spirit days that feature “80’s day,” “camouflage day,” or “tie-dye day,” they are doing “what are you reading?” and “life-skills day” where students can post a new life-skill they are learning.
“They are trying to keep the kids engaged and keep the school spirit alive,” said Shope.
Some teachers and principals are recording announcements and greetings to send out to the parents or students so a connection to the typical school day remains.
For students who have an Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, that includes speech, occupational, and speech therapy, the system is using a combination of tele-therapy and online learning with materials that are facilitated by phone conferencing, emails and privacy-compliant digital platforms.
Future impact
Some students are learning life skills in addition to academics at home.
Shope said she is interested to see how this changes education in the long term.
“Not only for our kids, ,but kids across the United States,” she said. “Some school districts already had digital platforms established for inclement weather, but we’ve had to work this out quickly and make adjustments, but this will be a springboard for years to come so learning can continue during inclement weather.”
While she is a school employee, Shope said the mother in her was a “bit nervous” about how distance learning would go, but so far her son, a high school student, is doing well.
“He enjoys it, he gets up, get his work done, then goes to work,” she said.
She said that although the Coronvirus and its impact is “sad,” it’s shown how resilient people are.
“It has allowed us to realize we are capable of doing this. Parents are capable and kids are capable. Kudos to students, parents, and teachers who are forging ahead and making the best of this situation.”