In keeping with the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools' COVID-19 protocols, Alfred E. Beach High School, 3001 Hopkins St., was the first SCCPSS school to close its doors entirely last Friday to in-person learning due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. Beach students are scheduled to return to the school's campus on Sept. 7, after the Labor Day holiday on Monday.
The rolling closure forced the cancellation of the Aug. 27 Beach vs. Jenkins football game. As of Monday, school officials had not announced when the game would be rescheduled.
Before the public schools opened to in-person learning on Aug. 4, SCCPSS Superintendent Ann Levett cautioned about possible rolling closures and "pivoting" to virtual learning due to rising COVID cases.
According to the Aug. 20 COVID report posted on the district website at sccpss.com, Beach High School indicated it had four students who had a positive COVID test, and 32 students and two staff personnel in quarantine.
In the previous week's report for Aug. 13, Beach High School listed 11 students with positive COVID tests and 49 quarantined students. According to Lisa Wilson, the district lead nurse, "quarantined students" includes those who are self-quarantining due to a positive exposure outside of school — not necessarily exposed at school and sent home. No staff are listed as COVID positive or in quarantine on the Aug. 13 report.
“Extensive contact tracing procedures have been completed with all affected students and staff,” the Aug. 27 district release said. “All close contacts have been identified and contacted for quarantine. All others should continue to monitor for possible symptoms as a matter of precaution.”
For the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 3, Beach students have been instructed to use the ItsLearning portal for class assignments and follow instructions from their teachers for virtual learning schedules. Electronic devices have been made available to students who need them. Student attendance is being measured by student log-in and class participation.
Returning to in-person
Students who are not sick and who are not showing any symptoms may return to school on Sept. 7. Students who are in quarantine may return to class with proof of a negative COVID test taken after Day 5 of quarantine. Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines regarding quarantine are available on the SCCPSS website at sccpss.com.
“The District will continue to monitor the situation closely. Should there be any other changes to the Beach High School operations schedule, parents will be notified by email and callout, and can find updates on the school website,” the district release concluded.
Parents may call the school at 912-395-5330 for more information.
Barbara Augsdorfer is the education and nonprofits reporter for the Savannah Morning News. Reach her at BAugsdorfer@gannett.com or on Twitter @Babs7983.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Beach High students pivot to virtual learning while school undergoes COVID protocols
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