Education
Education

DeKalb Schools seems set for delayed start to school year

Shadow Rock Elementary School assistant principal Jason Moffitt (left) gives parent Shadiyah Williams a couple of Kroger store gift cards during her visit to pick up her child’s classwork at the school in Lithonia, Monday, April 27, 2020. The gift cards were donated on behalf of the Bow Tie Boys Club, a group of male educators that meets at the school to empower young boys. Moffitt runs the club. ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM
Shadow Rock Elementary School assistant principal Jason Moffitt (left) gives parent Shadiyah Williams a couple of Kroger store gift cards during her visit to pick up her child’s classwork at the school in Lithonia, Monday, April 27, 2020. The gift cards were donated on behalf of the Bow Tie Boys Club, a group of male educators that meets at the school to empower young boys. Moffitt runs the club. ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM
By Marlon A. Walker
July 13, 2020

The DeKalb County School District is set to begin the new school year on Aug. 17, according to a tentative calendar set to be approved Monday by the DeKalb County Board of Education.

School was set to begin Aug. 3.

The calendar lists the new start date, along with plans for breaks, teacher planning and federal holidays.

District officials did not respond to requests for comment last week about the date change, though DeKalb County Board of Education member Stan Jester said recently on his blog he expected the district to delay the start of school.

Several metro Atlanta school districts already have announced plans to  delay the start of the school year to allow more time to prepare for a school year that will feel immediate impact from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. School buildings were shuttered in March as officials worked on plans to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Atlanta Public Schools is expected to vote to start the school year on Aug. 24. Clayton County Public Schools is considering Aug. 10. Both are leaning toward virtual learning to begin the year.

Henry County school officials are letting parents elect either in-person or virtual learning when classes begin on Aug. 3.

About the Author

Marlon A. Walker is an education reporter covering DeKalb County.

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