District 55 Announces Six Schools Going to Remote Learning Beginning Thursday

In a letter from Superintendent, Ameca C. Thomas, Ph.D., parents of children in Laurens County School District 55 learned that six schools will go to eLearning beginning on Thursday, January 13th.

On Monday, January 17, 2022, schools will be closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, holiday. All schools will transition back to in-person on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

The schools going to eLearning include:

• Ford Elementary School

• Gray Court-Owings School

• Hickory Tavern School

• Laurens Elementary School

• Laurens Middle School

• Laurens District 55 High School

The decision to go to eLearning was made after reviewing data, consulting with principals, and looking at the trend for COVID-related activity in the schools.  The identified schools have reached a critical point where they cannot provide quality and safe educational experiences due to the high percentage of staff member absences required to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure.

Principals will meet with staff members of these schools to provide all information needed to ensure learning will continue at home. They will guide teachers on sending computers home and posting assignments in Google Classroom and any other information necessary for a successful eLearning experience. Paper assignments will also be made available for those who may not have internet access. Student Nutrition will send meals home tomorrow with students at the schools mentioned above for the remainder of the week.

The custodial staff will thoroughly clean school buildings in the interim to ensure that they are ready for students when they return on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

District officials will continue to monitor the data and keep everyone posted regarding any changes.

At this point, the remainder of the schools in the district will operate on a regular schedule for the rest of the week.