COVID on campus: Updates from Floyd, Gordon, Polk school systems on returning to class this week.

Students and teachers will return to school this week after Christmas break. Most school systems resume classes on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Gordon County Schools will start back on Wednesday.

In his weekly report on Dec. 31, Dr. Gary Voccio with Northwest Georgia Public Health addressed schools reopening amongst increasing numbers of COVID-19. He said he has gotten a number of calls from local school superintendents. He says “children don’t transmit readily” but biggest concern was what teachers and students do outside of school. He encouraged masks and social distancing to continue as schools reopen.

From Floyd County Schools

“Wishing our Floyd County Families a safe and happy new year! Monday, Jan. 4 is a teacher planning day. We can’t wait to see you Tuesday.”

From Gordon County Schools Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Fraker: In-person teaching resumes Jan. 6.

Happy New Year from Gordon County Schools!

I hope that you have enjoyed a relaxing, healthy holiday season with family and friends. As we enter a New Year and a new semester with our students, know that I continue to work closely with our local health and emergency officials to monitor developments and conditions in our county regarding COVID-19 and there is overall support among healthcare, community, and school officials regarding our safe return to school welcoming students as scheduled on Jan. 6.

Decisions concerning the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students are not made lightly, and we take into consideration all the factors that impact our families. We continue to remind anyone who has tested positive and is still under quarantine or continues experiencing symptoms, those students who are under a medical quarantine due to exposure, and those who have COVID-related symptoms of any kind to stay home until those symptoms have passed, the quarantine period has expired and/or there is proof of a negative test. In addition, those who have been tested for the virus and are awaiting the results should remain home until the results are received and appropriate measures are taken.

I would also like to remind everyone of the importance of practicing mitigation measures such as washing hands, social distancing, and wearing face coverings.

Thank you for your support as we work to make the best decisions for the health and safety of all Gordon County Schools families. Enjoy the rest of your holiday, and we look forward to having you back in our schools to begin the second half of our school year on Jan. 6.

Latest from Polk School District: Superintendent Laurie Atkins sent out a letter (see below) on Jan. 1 saying classes will resume on Jan. 5. All staff will be required to wear masks for first two weeks after return. All students are encouraged to wear masks as well.

Latest COVID updates: Expanded details below as needed.

Floyd County Schools. Next report: Jan. 6.
Rome City Schools. Next report: Jan. 6.
Cartersville City Schools. Cartersville reports here.
Bartow County: County school system ends the semester with five of 19 schools in yellow phase. Bartow
Polk School District. Classes resume Jan. 5.
Gordon County Schools. Students return Jan. 6. Updates
Berry College, fall semester: 204 students, 34 staff, 10 WinShape employees, 1 Aramark employee. Total: 249. Classes resume on campus on Jan. 19 for spring semester.

Floyd County Schools report: Click here for the latest

December: 293 to 720 quarantines; 76 student and staff members test positive.
Nov. 16-20: 648 to 788 quarantines. 21 new cases reported. .
Oct. 9-Nov. 13: 131 to 490 overall quarantines.
Sept. 30-Oct. 8: Quarantines ranged from 298 to 462. Total positive cases: 19.
Sept. 10-29: Quarantines ranged from 260 to 473.

Rome City Schools report. Click here for the latest.

Dec. 1-18: 148 to 293 student quarantines. Staff: 37 to 54 staff quarantines. 64 new cases.
Nov. 3-30: 99 to 434 students in quarantine. Staff: 38 to 75. 56 positive tests.
Oct. 13-Nov. 2: 47 to 442 students. Staff: 16 to 73. 23: 40 positive tests overall.
Sept. 29-Oct. 12: Quarantines ranged from 175 to 222 students; from 15 to 32 staff and faculty. Total positive cases reported for the period. 4.
Aug. 19-Sept. 28: Student quarantines ranged from 138 to to 348. Faculty/staff quarantines ranged from 16 to 35.