‘It’s a little bit of a juggling act;’ Cheatham County families navigate back-to-school

ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WTVF) — Cheatham County students are going back-to-school in-person, virtually, and on a hybrid schedule.

Masks are also required for staff and students. Elementary students are meeting in-person, while middle and high school students are going back on a hybrid schedule.

"That is a combination of in-person and virtual learning so they’re going to be going to school two days a week and then they’re going to be learning from home three days a week,” Communications Director Tim Adkins said.

About 30% of students are doing virtual learning full time if that’s what their parents wanted. Adkins said there were a few hiccups with the log-in so they’re asking for patience.

“We also have partnered with some local businesses and churches that they offer free Wi-Fi and families can go to these churches or businesses during the day,” he said.

The district also has 100 hotspots for families in need, and they’re waiting to get more laptops for fifth and sixth graders.

Kyla Quintanilla has her daughter Piper going back in-person and her sons Ryder and Tripp Allen are on the hybrid schedule.

“It’s all a little bit of a juggling act," Quintanilla said.

She likes the hybrid schedule because it allows for social distancing.

“I think they’re able to space the children,” Quintanilla said.

School officials are going to monitor how everything is going so far, and then reevaluate after Labor Day.

“We are going to be keeping track of our COVID-19 numbers,” Adkins said.

There are two confirmed COVID-19 cases within the Cheatham County Central High School football program, and the team is quarantined. They will be coming back on Wednesday August 19 according to Adkins.