Appling County School System Update
This is Scarlett Miles Copeland, Superintendent of ACSS. We appreciate our students, parents, and community working with ACSS as we navigate through this pandemic crisis together! It has certainly been much like a whirlwind from the onset of this pandemic which changed our lives and the world in essentially 1 day! This situation has been very fluid and as the health care experts learn more about this virus, they continue to advise and make necessary changes.
Understand as a school system, we certainly do not have all of the answers, but know that we are working extremely hard in many areas to review options as we conclude this school year. We are receiving many emails, webinars, and telephone conferences regarding decisions to be made as we move through this trying time. We are committed to reviewing as much information in all areas before we make these decisions. Our K-12 Administrators have been instrumental in providing their advice for their respective schools and we appreciate them and their efforts.
Some of the main areas of navigation we are working on are as follows for students and parents:
- Instruction
- Our administrators have been working with us at the Central Office through digital meetings to make plans for instruction and other necessary areas with our teachers and paraprofessionals over the past few weeks. They have been innovative and creative during this process and we appreciate them very much. ACSS employees have provided students with digital learning opportunities and each school has listed them on their respective school websites. As we move forward, Administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals will be working toward daily instruction for students that will provide enhanced learning opportunities.
- Mental Health
- Our Student Services Coordinators and Counselors are working diligently to meet the needs of our students and parents as we are away. They have also posted mental health resources on ACSS Website.
- Meals – We are proud to be serving our students meals during school closure. We are utilizing the drive through process at Appling County Elementary Complex to serve our students with meals.
- Grades
- Grades for ACPS, ACES, AES, and FDES will be determined by averaging the 1st through 3rd nine weeks grades for each student’s final average for the school year.
- ACMS will be determined by averaging the 1st through 3rd nine weeks grades for each student’s final average for the school year.
- ACHS Administration will be meeting with their leadership teams to discuss how to handle this area. They are also continuing to listening to webinars, First District Regional Education Service Agency, and the State Department of Education regarding Grading for the remainder of the year. Once we gain enough information to provide a decision, we will let our students and parents know.
- Graduation and other Sr. Events –
- Fortunately, our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and All Honor Graduates have been previously named at the conclusion of First Semester in December of 2019. All recipients for these honors were listed on ACHS’s website.
- As far as Graduation and other Sr. Events, we are saddened like each of you, by our school year ending so unexpectedly. In particular, our hearts are heavy for our Class of 2020 as these students approach the finality of their educational careers in Appling County without the rituals previously established by tradition. However, be assured that Dr. Starr and his ACHS Team are reviewing options for possibilities for celebration. Stay tuned.
6) Other Specific School Information – we will be posting additional information as we move forward. We encourage our parents to check the district website, as well as their respective school websites often during school closure for updates.
In closing, thank you for your patience and prayers as we work through this pandemic crisis together. We are praying that God will continue to provide strength and peace as we move through this difficult time. May God bless each of you and your families.