Canton schools move to all-virtual learning for fall term
As new data continue to flow in, the Canton Public School District Announced Tuesday that it would begin the 2020-2021 school year virtually until further notice.
CPSD Superintendent Gary Hannah said the decision was based on communication with state and local health officials and an increased number of COVID-19 cases statewide and locally.
“I have been communicating with state and local health officials recently,” Hannah said. “And after great deliberation and consideration of our students', teachers', families', and community's lives, we have made the decision to provide instruction to our students in a 100% virtual model until further notice. This decision is based on the increased number of cases not only in Mississippi but especially in our county and our local area.”
He said the decisions were made with the safety of students and staff in mind.
“Though we know that it will be an inconvenience for some, ultimately, I hold your children's and my staff's lives in my hands for about 30% of the day. This is a fact that I do not take lightly,” Hannah said.
He also noted that the situation would remain fluid and subject to change as new information and data continues to come in.
“Friends,” Hannah said. “When I made the initial announcement about our district's instructional delivery method, I informed you that the decisions that we will make over the next few weeks are subject to change as we receive additional information.”
District Communications Director Beverly Luckett said that Hannah is not doing interviews because “the situation continues to be very fluid” but noted that regular updates are posted on the school district website. It was also noted that Hannah posts weekly video updates on the school district’s Facebook page. The school district website is cantonschools.net.
In a July 23 address posted to the district page, Hannah said that they have arranged to provide laptops to students. They will be loaned to students for a $50 fee. Hannah noted that these are limited and come from an existing supply and asked that only parents who did not have a device at home check them out. He said the school district is still awaiting CARES act money and hopes to use the funds to provide a brand new laptop for every student.
“Our goal is to provide all students with a new laptop for checkout when we receive our CARES funds,” Hannah said.
Though middle school football has been canceled at Huey Porter Middle School, extracurricular activities continue at Canton High School. The Tigers are still scheduled to open their season on September 4 against Germantown at home. The CHS band is also scheduled to continue its season regular practice updates released through the school.