See the answers to the most frequently asked COVID-19 questions here. - https://dph.georgia.gov/contact
About These Decisions
- HOW DID THE DISTRICT MAKE THEIR NEW SCHOOL YEAR DECISIONS?
Over the last few months a large team of district leaders, including more than 100 principals, assistant principals, teachers, and district personnel combined their over 400 years of education experience to answer the most pressing questions our district is facing. This diverse team pored over research and data, surveyed our stakeholders, and tested various solutions before arriving at the answers which seem best for our community. We are so appreciative of the many hours of labor and conversation that they’ve invested in ensuring that Cobb Schools continues to provide the highest level of academic excellence and support for all of our students.
All of our decisions are based on the health and safety of our staff and students and are guided by public health officials, as well as, state officials like Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Education.
- WHY IS COBB DOING A 4-DAY WEEK, AS OPPOSED TO A 5-DAY OR 2 DAY WEEK?The schedule for all students in both face-to-face and remote classrooms will include direct instruction with the world’s best teachers on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Wednesdays will continue to be reserved for individual and small group support in the remote environment and will provide an additional opportunity for necessary cleaning and disinfecting midweek.
- WHY ARE SOME SCHOOLS GOING REMOTE WHILE OTHERS CONTINUE TO DO BOTH FACE-TO-FACE AND REMOTE LEARNING?
To ensure a safe and healthy campus, the district will continue to handle school-by-school closings on an individual basis and are committed to announcing any future closings as soon as the decision is made.
- WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR FACE TO FACE AND VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR?
As the Superintendent mentioned during the February Board meeting, staff has been working on plans for next school year since this school year began. At this time, the only detail that is available is that all families will be offered face-to-face and remote classroom options. Plans for next year are being built based on feedback from students, teachers, and families and public health guidance for Cobb County. As soon as more details are available, we will share it with the school community.
All of our decisions are based on the health and safety of our staff and students and are guided by public health officials, as well as, state officials like Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Education.
Health, Sanitation and Safety Protocols
- WILL FACE MASKS BE REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL AND SCHOOL EVENTS?
- WHAT CLEANING PROCEDURES WILL BE IN PLACE FOR SCHOOLS AND WORKSPACES?
Schools will follow specified cleaning procedures. Click here for more information.
- WHAT PROCEDURES WILL BE USED WHEN POSITIVE CASES OCCUR?
The District will continue to follow guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH) and Cobb/Douglas Public Health.
Click Here for DPH and Cobb/Douglas health guidance.
- WHAT PROCEDURES WILL BE IN PLACE FOR BUSES?
Click here for more information.
- WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR SERVING MEALS AND WILL FAMILIES STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK UP MEALS?
Click here for more information.
- WILL STUDENTS BE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED IF ANOTHER STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN THEIR CLASS?
In accordance with public health guidance, any student or staff member who, through contact tracing, is identified for COVID-19 testing will be asked, by Cobb and Douglas Public Health, to be tested.
- WHAT CONSEQUENCES WILL STUDENTS FACE IF THEY DO NOT WEAR THEIR MASK?
The District expectation is that all students and staff wear masks. Those expectations will be regularly communicated and students and staff will be held accountable.
If a student is not wearing a mask or face covering:
- The student will be asked to adhere to current mask guidelines.
- A disposable mask will be provided for the student.
- If a student continues to refuse to wear a mask, the parent will be called to pick up their student and a conference will be held to discuss the option of digital instruction.
- A student who continues to refuse to wear a mask will be considered insubordinate and subject to the Student Code of Conduct.
More information is available here.
- WHERE/HOW IS THE PARTICULAR DESIGN FOR PROTECTIVE BARRIERS SELECTED FROM? DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUPPLEMENT WITH PORTABLE AIR CLEANERS? UV LIGHT DISINFECTION? ARE WE USING A STRATIFIED CONTROL STRATEGY? WHAT RE-OPENING GUIDANCE ARE WE USING TO MAKE OPERATIONAL DECISIONS?All PPE equipment is selected based on recommendations made through public health guidance from the state of Georgia. We use reopening guidance provided by the Georgia Department of Education, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and Cobb/Douglas Public Health. Their guidance can be found under the “District Resources” tab of our Reopening Plan.
Scheduling
- WHO WILL DETERMINE THE STUDENT’S SPECIFIC SCHEDULE IF HE/SHE SELECTS REMOTE LEARNING?Individual school schedules may vary slightly to allow synchronization of remote and face-to-face classrooms regarding subject, lunch schedule, recess, breaks, etc.
- WILL MY CHILD HAVE A DIFFERENT TEACHER?Every effort will be made to keep each student with the same teacher he/she started with on August 17th.
- IF A STUDENT IS INSTRUCTED TO QUARANTINE, WILL HE/SHE BE ABLE TO CONTINUE LEARNING REMOTELY?Yes, if a student is quarantined for any reason he/she will continue with remote learning on the remote learning schedule for his/her class schedule.
- WILL FAMILIES HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE FACE-TO-FACE OR FULL REMOTE DURING THE SECOND SEMESTER?Yes. Next semester, Cobb families will have a third opportunity to choose the learning environment that works best for their family. Details, including specific dates and instructions, on how to access the third-choice window will be provided by mid-winter.
- CAN STUDENTS ATTEND FACE TO FACE FOR SOME CLASSES OR SERVICES AND REMOTE FOR OTHERS?No, the choice for remote learning means all instruction and services will be provided remotely.
- WHY DID THE DISTRICT DECIDE TO GIVE FAMILIES A CHOICE OF FACE TO FACE OR FULL REMOTE? We understand that COVID-19 has impacted families in many ways, and giving our families a choice in what type of learning environment is best for their family is an important part of our COVID-19 response. Just as District leaders have done in past years, Cobb Schools continues to prioritize listening to our parents as we partner with the community to educate each and every student no matter the unique struggles they have faced over the past year.
- WHAT WILL INDEPENDENT LEARNING TIME (ILT) LOOK LIKE?Independent learning time on Wednesdays will occur remotely for all students, as it has since the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. See the sample remote schedules for more detail.
Instruction
For the second semester of the 2020-2021 school year, students will be marked present if physically present in class or if virtually present, regardless of their classroom choice.
- WHAT WILL REMOTE INSTRUCTION LOOK LIKE FOR STUDENTS?Teachers will provide instruction to students in the face to face classroom and students who have chosen the remote classroom. Students in both the face-to-face and remote classrooms will receive the same instruction from the same teacher. Click here for more information.
- IF A STUDENT IS QUARANTINED, WILL HE/SHE BE ABLE TO CONTINUE LEARNING REMOTELY?Yes, if a student is quarantined for any reason he/she will continue with remote learning on the remote learning schedule for his/her class schedule.
- WILL TEACHERS REMAIN “LIVE” DURING INDEPENDENT WORK/PRACTICE?The length of time a student remains in the “live” learning environment will vary depending on the instructional lesson and activity for the day.
- HOW WILL STUDENTS TRANSITION BETWEEN CLASSES?Students in face-to-face classrooms will be asked to move through schools safely and will be supported by signage which reinforces school protocols. Those protocols include awareness of Covid-19 symptoms, how to stop the spread, preventative measures (including staying home when sick), good hygiene, and physical guides to the hallways which promote social distancing.
- WILL STUDENTS' GRADES BE IMPACTED NEGATIVELY DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES (HARDWARE ISSUES, NO INTERNET CONNECTION, ETC.)Grades will be given by teachers in accordance with existing District policies as one measure of what students know. Specific grading questions or issues should be communicated with your teacher.
- WILL STUDENTS WHO RETURN TO FACE-TO-FACE CLASSROOMS BE REQUIRED TO RETURN THEIR CCSD DEVICE?No, any device which has been distributed by CCSD will remain with the student for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.
Questions Specific to Elementary School
- IS ASP AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS?ASP is available to students who attend face to face school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Masks are required for all ASP students and ASP staff.
- WHERE CAN I FIND SPECIFIC SAFETY MEASURES FOR AFTER-SCHOOL-PROGRAMS (ASP)?Specific health and safety guidelines for ASP are available through the ASP program and must adhere to the protocols of each school.
Questions Specific to High School
- WILL MASKS BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ATHLETIC EVENTS?Masks will be required for all individuals who attend athletic events when social distancing is not possible.
Health Related
- HOW LONG DOES A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER HAVE TO QUARANTINE IF EXPOSED TO COVID-19?Please refer to the Public Health Administrative Order regarding length of quarantine. Effective February 1, 2021, the quarantine guidance was updated.
- WHAT IF THERE IS A POSITIVE COVID CASE AT MY SCHOOL?The positive case (staff member or student) will isolate until 10 consecutive days have passed from their positive COVID-19 test and they are asymptomatic. CCSD will report all positive cases of staff members and students to the Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health (DPH) as required by Georgia law. CCSD communicates all potential cases to Cobb and Douglas Public Health who communicate confirmed cases to affected students/staff/ parents. Affected students/staff/parents are asked to follow guidance provided by Cobb and Douglas Public Health as communicated through low-risk and high-risk letters.
- WILL PARENTS BE NOTIFIED OF POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES?While adhering to privacy laws, the District aims to keep parents as updated as possible about any potential exposure to COVID-19. If their child is a close contact, as determined by DPH, the school will send them a “high-risk” DPH letter, which informs parents about DPH’s “Return to School and Child Care Guidance After COVID-19 Illness or Exposure” and when their child can return to school. Parents may also receive a “low risk” letter from DPH if there is a casein a school but not a close contact. Parents can also refer to the COVID Case Notification page, which is updated weekly.
- WHEN WOULD MY CHILD BE QUARANTINED?Your child needs to be quarantined if your child tested positive for COVID-19, is suspected for COVID-19 due to presence of symptoms OR your child was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or was in close contact with someone who has a suspected case for COVID-19 due to the presence of symptoms.
- WHEN DOES AN ENTIRE CLASSROOM OR WHOLE SCHOOL GET QUARANTINED?CCSD leaders will work collaboratively with Cobb and Douglas Public Health officials to determine when an entire classroom or whole school will quarantine in accordance with DPH guidelines.
- WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CHILD HAS COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL?When a student or staff member has symptoms at school, they will immediately be sent home and the CCSD existing illness management procedure will be implemented. Students or staff members with symptoms will be isolated in a designated area supervised by school staff while waiting to be picked up.
- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLOSE CONTACT AND POSITIVE CASE?The Department of Public Health defines a close contact as any individual who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes, direct contact with an infected person (hugged/kissed/shared drinks), sneezed or coughed on by an infected person. A positive case is laboratory confirmed, diagnosed or a suspected case of COVID-19. A suspected case of COVID-19 would be based on the presence of symptoms.
- WHAT SHOULD I DO TO CHECK MY CHILD BEFORE SCHOOL EVERY MORNING?Please use the daily well-being checklist (for the Spanish version click here) to determine if your child can go to school.
- HOW WILL THE COMMUNITY BE NOTIFIED BY THE DISTRICT IF A STUDENT(S) IS EXPOSED TO COVID-19?The Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health notifies us when there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 or a confirmed case of COVID-19 exposure. Once notified by the Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health, the school distributes communication from the Cobb and Douglas Department of Public Health to all affected families and/or staff. If you do not receive communication, public health officials have determined you or your family have not been affected. The District provides a weekly COVID-19 Case Notification Update which does represent the total number of confirmed cases in the District. To protect the medical privacy of those involved, it does not provide the specific people, schools, or roles involved in confirmed cases.
COVID-19
- WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)?Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
- WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- WHAT ARE WAYS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, LIKE COVID-19?
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Hotline: (844) 442-2681
- WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ON COVID-19 AND HOW I CAN KEEP MY FAMILY SAFE AND HEALTHY?
CTLS
- WILL THERE BE TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS TO HELP NAVIGATE CTLS DURING FULL REMOTE LEARNING?Yes, digital training resources will be available to parents on CTLS Learn and CTLS Parent. Students and parents will have access to training documents and videos in English and in Spanish via a public facing CTLS support site.
- WILL ALL PARENTS AND TEACHERS BE TRAINED ON THE CTLS PLATFORM. WILL THERE BE TRAINING FOR STUDENTS? WHEN WILL TRAINING TAKE PLACE?Yes, everyone will be trained on Cobb’s New Teaching and Learning System (CTLS). Training will be ongoing both synchronously and asynchronously. Student and parents will have access to training documents and videos in English and in Spanish via a public facing CTLS support site.
