I would like to clarify some information in my video and school messenger email today. I was mistaken when I said school would end for students on May 1.  The district is finalizing an instructional schedule for the remainder of the year this weekend and will publish it Monday, April 6. I am sorry for the confusion.

There have been a few changes to the locations that school meals are being delivered. These changes will be effective on Wednesday, 4/1. 

Grades for 3rd nine weeks have been posted and can be viewed on Infinite Campus. Since this grading period ended prior to school closures, the grades for this period went through March 12. If you need assistance with logging in to Infinite Campus, please click on the link below. If you have never set up an account, click on the appropriate link below to do this before going through steps to log in. If you experience problems, please click here to contact CMS.

Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus

During this time of distance learning, free internet opportunities are being offered. If you or someone you know could benefit from this free service, please click on the link below. Please share with parents and students that will not see this post.

Click here for information on Distance Counseling.

As we were made aware yesterday, all schools in the state of Georgia have been canceled for face-to-face meetings for the remainder of the school year. With that new information, our district began working diligently to create a plan on how to finish out our school year. While we know there are numerous questions, all of the logistics are still being finalized. Please be patient and know that information will be forthcoming by the end of spring break. We are definitely traveling through uncharted territory, but we know that our district will remain #24strong!

As we enter week 3 of distance learning, I hope that this email finds you and your family well. Thank you for your patience today, allowing us an extra day to prepare assignments for week 5 after the Governor extended the quarantine. Please take note of the following reminders:

• Assignment packets for Weeks 3-5 are available at the front entrance of the school. Please wear the protective gloves that are on the table  and dispose of them in the trash can that is provided for your safety and the safety of others.
• All packets are to be kept by the students until they return to school. No assignments should be left at the school for safety reasons.
• Packets are only for those students who are not able to complete the online instruction.
• Chromebooks are no longer available for check out. Those students without internet or appropriate devices need to complete the hard copy packets instead.
• Next week is Spring Break, so students and parents can take the week off. Our hearts go out to parents who are helping students with instruction, in addition to the many other stressors during this time.
• Online classes will resume on Monday, April 13 at 9:00.
  

Please be safe and continue to abide by the social distancing guidelines for your safety and especially the safety of those who are at a greater risk.

Be careful when sharing important personal information. Watch the video below to determine what should and should not be made public!

Leaving Your Digital Footprint

As Principal of Central Middle School, I want to touch base with you regarding the circumstances surrounding school amidst the Coronavirus outbreak. Our first concern is the welfare of our students, staff, and their families, as well as people throughout our community, state, country, and worldwide. This is something that we have never experienced and all of us are being affected adversely in many ways. 

As a school system, we are working to provide food for our students each weekday. The CMS website (https://centralmcarrollga.schoolinsites.com/) is the best resource for the pick up sites for meals.

The Governor has extended state-wide school closures through April 24. The closures are intended to keep people from coming into contact with each other in order to slow the spread of the virus. We hope that all people will work to limit contact with others so that we may return to a normal lifestyle sooner.

Our teachers are working hard to engage with students through online distance learning platforms and they are sharing great stories about their work with students. Students who are unable to access the internet or don’t have adequate devices available to them are given access to assignments through hard copy packets. The packets are available for pick up outside the front doors of our school. We are currently in the process of making new packets that will contain assignments for the weeks before and after Spring Break. The current packets provide assignments through this Friday.The new packets will be available for pick up on Tuesday, March 31. 

Please note that students who are accessing the online assignments do not need to take a hard copy packet. These packets are only for those who do not have access to the internet assignments. 

Regarding the completed packets, the school district is directing students to keep all of their work until we return due to safety concerns. 

Also for safety reasons, we are not able to allow access to our building for any reason, as our custodians are deep cleaning our facility in preparation for our return to a normal school environment. Therefore, we are no longer able to check out Chromebooks to students, allow access to lockers, or allow students to pick up other belongings. Students, who do not have internet or tech devices, need to complete the hard copy packets.

Through all of my online meetings with our staff, one thing has been evident. Our teachers dearly miss their students. Our hope and prayer is for the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families. Please take care and remember to access updates and other information through our website. Mrs. Thomas updates information daily. Thank you and be safe.