Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has “officially recommended all public schools remain closed until the End of the School Year 2019-2020” in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Lee made the recommendation during his daily update on Wednesday, April 15th, 2020. He originally asked that schools remain closed through March 31, 2020, then revised it on March 23rd, 2020 to close through April 24th, 2020, and now today has recommended that schools remain close through the school year.
Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn issued the following statement, “I appreciate the governor’s recommendation schools remain closed through the end of the school year to protect the health and safety of all Tennesseans. The coronavirus pandemic is constantly evolving, and we are only starting to see how this pandemic is affecting our children,” said Dr. Penny Schwinn.
“Children being out of school for such a long time has significant implications for a child’s wellbeing, and this poses a different kind of challenge for all of us, as communities and as a state. There is critical work ahead, and I am honored to convene the COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force in the coming weeks to focus state and local leaders on the wellbeing of Tennessee’s children.”
Commissioner Schwinn will be convening a COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force to support local leaders and communities in caring for our students, particularly those who are vulnerable or most at risk. Details about the Task Force will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Tennessee Department of Education has developed and designed a number of resources for optional, free use by local districts. This includes school closure toolkits; three times per week superintendent calls; instructional, daily programming on PBS and companion teacher, student and family guides; free access for all families to early childhood platform ReadyRosie; SchoolMealFinder website for families to locate meal services; a STEAM Resource Hub; as well as federal waivers with a focus on nutrition, accountability, and special education.
The Tennessee Department of Education has continually updated guidance to school districts posted on their website: https://www.tn.gov/education/health-and-safety/update-on-coronavirus.html.
Director of Cannon County Schools, Mr. William F. Curtis, stated, “Basically it is ‘three strikes and we are OUT!’ Here we are for the third time, closing Cannon County Schools due to the recommendation of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee because of COVID-19 concerns. We had previously announced our closure through April 3rd, 2020, then we closed through April 24th, 2020, and now with the final recommendation to close the remainder of the School Year 2019-2020. So following this newest recommendation, Cannon County Schools will close our campuses through May 22nd, 2020.”
“This does not mean that the Meal Distribution Program and Instruction of Students will stop. It is just the opposite! Our Meal Distribution Program will continue on each Monday from 9 AM – 10 AM at EVERY Elementary School in Cannon County. During this time, Instructional Packets are also delivered to parents, and our on-line programs with Teacher contacts with Cannon County Students will continue through May 22nd, 2020. These types of closures are unprecedented in modern Tennessee and United States History, and this situation continues to be evolving hourly and sometimes even more like every few minutes. The Cannon County Schools Team is now on-notice that we have entered ‘Stage 4’ on the COVID-19 Timeline. School is NOT out for Summer Break! We will continue getting instruction to our students. This delivery has been occurring in multiple ways, and the Cannon County Schools Team is in intense contact with Tennessee Department of Education Officials, as to the type of instruction that we are offering to the 2,000+ students of Cannon County Schools through the remainder of the school year. Our Cannon County Schools Family of Employees have been working incredibly hard for the past several weeks. Food Service Workers, Teachers, and School Staff Members have all been consistently working for the benefit of Cannon County students, and I am overwhelmed in my gratitude for them. This work will continue in the month of May 2020, and we will work with State Officials and specifically the newly formed COVID-19 Child Wellbeing Task Force. More details will be forthcoming in the next days and weeks to address these continuing needs of Cannon County families. We ask for your patience and understanding during this unique situation for Cannon County Schools.”
“Some of the big questions are in relation to Cannon County High School. CCHS Teachers are working very hard virtually on-line with our students. They have contacted failing students and have developed individualized programs to get those students passing. CCHS Principal Courtney Nichols and the Administrative Staff are also working specifically with CCHS Seniors in the Class of 2020 to make sure they are on-track and passing classes to graduate on-time. We have received recent guidance from the Tennessee State Board of Education and Tennessee Department of Education waiving certain requirements for Graduation for the Class of 2020. Students grades will remain what they had on March 13th, 2020, and students now have opportunities to increase their scores even more between now and May 15th, 2020. The Cannon County Board of Education is currently working on a suggested Resolution for Emergency Suspension of Board Policies and will act on that Resolution at the May 7th, 2020 Meeting of the Cannon County Board of Education.”
Curtis continued, “Probably the most asked question about CCHS is regarding Prom 2020 and Graduation 2020. These events are not cancelled, but are POSTPONED until a later date! CCHS Principal Courtney Nichols have been working on a contingency plan for the past few weeks in the likelihood this event would occur. Details about alternative dates and times will be forthcoming once the ‘stay at home’ recommendation is lifted and ‘mass gatherings’ are permitted. The same is true for the Elementary Schools with PreK, Kindergarten, and 8th Grade Graduations, etc. Governor Bill Lee in his statement today, has given Local Education Agencies much flexibility regarding end of year procedures and activities, and more details and specifics regarding annual end of year activities will be forthcoming in the days and weeks ahead.”
Parents/Guardians are reminded regarding the School Nutrition Program which is offering FREE meals to all children 18 years of age and under. All are eligible to receive meals.
These meals will continue to be distributed on Mondays ONLY from 9 AM to 10 AM. Instructional packets are also being distributed to Cannon County Elementary students during this time, as well as, on-line instructional opportunities.
“Grab-and-Go” Breakfasts and Lunches will be distributed on Mondays with Breakfasts and Lunches provided for 5 days. Cannon County Schools ask that parents/guardians please follow the instructions for traffic flow at each school and these are posted on the Cannon County Schools website at www.ccstn.net – click on the Meals-2-Go Tab at the top of the page. Cannon County Schools asks that participates DO NOT EXIT THEIR VEHICLE – No “Walk-ups” are allowed for the protection of School Employees.
The distribution of children’s meals will be on each Monday following from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM on this day ONLY. Meals will be provided until Cannon County Schools are back in session. The location of the meal distribution sites are:
• Auburn School, 150 Vantrease Avenue, Auburntown, TN 37016;
• East Side School, 970 Old McMinnville Highway, Woodbury, TN 37190;
• Short Mountain School, 5988 Short Mountain Road, Woodbury, TN 37190;
• West Side School, 3714 Murfreesboro Road, Readyville, TN 37149;
• Woodbury Grammar School, 530 West Adams Street, Woodbury, TN 37190; and
• Woodland School, 8383 Jim Cummings Highway, Bradyville, TN 37026.
Cannon County High School is NOT a feeding site, however, ANY Cannon County High School Student can pick up meals at ANY Elementary School in Cannon County!
Because of the COVID-19 concerns, Cannon County Schools desire to provide nutritious meals to the children of Cannon County during this school closure. If you have specific questions or concerns please contact Cannon County Food Service Supervisor Jennifer Insell at 629-201-4809 – Email at Jennifer.Insell@ccstn.net or Cannon County Schools ESP Coordinator Lisa Black at 629-201-4805 – Email at Lisa.Black@ccstn.net. Please leave a voice mail or Email.
“We continue to monitor the Coronavirus COVID-19 situation as it continues to develop in Tennessee, and specifically Cannon County. Just remember, We ARE CANNON and know that OUR MISSION – “Preparing All Our Students for Their Future” through OUR VISION – “The New E3 – ‘Engaged in Excellence Every Day” motivates us to go forward to achieve our Overall Goal: PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT!! Even in challenging situations such as this unprecedented one Cannon County Schools shall succeed.”