ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WTVF) — Cheatham County school officials are delaying students' return to the classroom due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the use of three of the district’s stockpile days.
District officials applied to use the days, which was granted by the Tennessee Education Commissioner.
- The first day for students in grades 1-9 will be Thursday, Aug. 13 with a 10:45 a.m. dismissal.
- The first full day for students in grades 1-12 will be Friday, Aug. 14.
- The first full day for Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be Thursday, Aug. 20 (our schools will contact families about Pre-K and Kindergarten testing days).
Officials said in a press release on the district's website that the decision allows faculty, staff and students more time to prepare for the abnormal situation:
- Allows faculty and staff time for specific training and application on digital-blended learning and health and safety protocols before students are back in session.
- Allows students to pick-up their district-issued laptops and schedules at their individual schools. Additional information will be communicated with our families on the school level, but the pick-up dates will be Aug. 10, Aug. 11 and Aug. 12.
- Allows the Transportation Department time to determine bus routes based upon families selecting bus transportation.
They said the district has 13 stockpile days in the 2020-2021 school year. One is being used Nov. 3 for Election Day as several schools serve as voting precincts. Another is being used Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. After using the three stockpile days Aug. 10-12, that will leave the district with eight stockpile days.
Other than the beginning date, officials said the school calendar will remain the same, including fall break, spring break, winter break and graduation dates that have already been established.
