Will Alabama Schools Reopen This Fall?

It is a question parents across the state have been asking all summer: will Alabama schools reopen this fall? These questions have intensified over the past two weeks as coronavirus cases have surged across the state. Today, the state finally gave us an answer.

Alabama Schools Will Reopen This Fall

In a press conference at 10:00 AM this morning, state superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey announced that there will be in-person instruction at schools this fall. He stressed that he can not make a prediction for the whole year, but schools will reopen for the fall.

Local school boards and superintendents will be in charge of closing classes and schools when needed. Officials know outbreaks will be a possibility. While traditional learning will be available, it will look different. Dr. Mackey said this will be the most difficult school year we have ever experienced.

Remote Learning

While schools will be reopening, remote learning options will be available. The state has invested in a high-quality remote learning curriculum that covers Pre-K through 12th grade. Some remote learning was rolled out in March and April when schools closed this year.

Students who utilize the remote learning option will still be enrolled in their local school and assigned a teacher. Some students may have to switch between in-person learning and remote learning through the year due to illness or outbreaks in their class. Parents should prepare for this possibility.

Dr. Mackey stressed that remote learning will be key this year. He acknowledged some issues the state faced, such as internet availability in some communities. The state is looking into options such as turning school buses into mobile hotspots for students. Libraries could also be utilized.

What About Extracurricular Activities?

Dr. Mackey announced that extracurricular activities would be returning in the fall as well. This includes competitions and sports. Football will be back. However, everyone should prepare for things to look different. Safety measures will be taken to ensure the health of students, coaches, and spectators.

Health And Safety

State health officer Dr. Scott Harris also spoke at the press conference. He explained that contact tracing was a public health issue and not something the schools would be handling. He noted that contact tracing is something that has been done for diseases in the past and is not exclusive to the coronavirus.

Dr. Harris also stressed that safety precautions should still be followed. For gatherings, smaller groups are preferable to larger groups and they should be done outdoors when possible. Shorter events are safer than longer events.

These comments follow a surge in cases across the state over the past week. Alabama has seen nearly 3,000 new cases of the coronavirus over the past 3 days alone. Mobile County had over 100 cases in a single day earlier this week.

Though Dr. Mackey thinks remote learning will be crucial, he does not see the pandemic as the end of in-person schooling. In fact, he sees the opposite. Parents (and some students) have missed school and are longing for its return.

With the return of school announced, parents can begin making their preparations. They should prepare for a hectic year. Flexibility will be key. Remember that screening starts at home, and while sick children should never be sent to school, that is now more important than ever.