Submitted by Timothy Cooley, Beauregard Parish School Superintendent
Dear Beauregard Parish Students and Families,
We are living through a time unlike any other in our lifetimes. First, I want to thank you for your patience, your support, and your willingness to work with us as we navigate these extraordinary times together. We are all anxious about how our educational system will move forward as we near the August start date for the 2020-2021 school year. Our administration and staff have been working toward this for many weeks with the guidance of the Louisiana Department of Education through the Strong Start 2020 Plan developed in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health.
Beauregard Parish is structuring our school opening to accommodate potential variations if circumstances change as well as seek to include all students in varying situations. We will provide solutions for students whose families are concerned about returning to the school facility and for those who cannot return because of medical conditions.
We will also strictly adhere to safety measures based on medical evidence and advice from the Louisiana Department of Health in all of our school facilities. The safety of our students has always been of primary concern for Beauregard Parish schools and will remain so during this unprecedented time. We will adhere to social distancing measures, enhanced sanitation and hand hygiene measures, wearing approved face coverings, and limiting campus activities and visitations as per LDOE and health guidelines.
We are working on three scenarios for returning to school:
Traditional School with Enhancements and Online Opportunities: We plan to begin school in August as normal on school campuses with enhanced safety precautions as well as online learning opportunities through Google Classroom and the Beauregard Virtual Program for students whose parents want to consider this option. We want Beauregard students to remain in Beauregard schools and are providing opportunities to make that possible.
2. Social Distancing/Hybrid Option: This measure would include a combination of distance and face-to-face learning with possible adjustments to scheduling students on campus. This plan would only be enacted in the case of the Governor’s Executive Order for reduced interaction in public settings.
3. Long-Distance Learning: All students would participate in learning via online programs using Google Classroom and the Beauregard Virtual Program. This plan would only be enacted if the Governor’s Executive Order closed schools.
These unparalleled times call for extraordinary solutions. Our Instructional Supervisors and teachers are working with our Technology team to provide guidance for instruction and all its related components for each of the scenarios listed. I am confident that our school system and our employees will continue to provide excellence in education for every Beauregard Parish student.
I encourage you to visit our webpage for updates and promise to keep the public informed as we move forward. I want to thank you for your support and positivity as we strive to do what is best for all of our students and employees during this challenging time.
