Collierville Schools has changed its reopening plan yet again.

Shelby County data is the same, local school districts are not

After tweaking the plan last week, on Sunday, Aug. 2, the town’s school officials released a new plan that will allow students in grades pre-K and K-5 to attend five days per week. The virtual option is still available for parents.

“Due to the increased number of enrollments at the elementary level in the Collierville Virtual Academy, combined with creative uses of available spaces in the schools, we can now accommodate those pre-K-5 students interested in 5-day weekly instruction while maintaining 6-feet of social distancing,” Superintendent Gary Lilly said in a letter attached to the new plan.

Breakfast, lunch, art and music will be held in classrooms. Physical education will be held outside or in the gym. Recess will also be held outside daily as weather permits.

The school is working on staggered arrival and release times to encourage social distancing.

Middle and high school students still have the hybrid or virtual option. 

Collierville Board of Education expresses preference for in-person classes

Students will be provided one mask that can be lightly washed. It must be worn at all times. There will be scheduled breaks, and masks will not be required during lunch and recess.

Enrollment for the 100% virtual option – Collierville Virtual Academy – is open until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Students who do not enroll virtually will be included in the in-person or hybrid option depending on their grade.

Non-graded activities such as clubs, and before and after school programs are on pause, the plan says. Sports will depend upon the advice of local health officials, according to the plan.

If a child or teacher tests positive, the district will follow Shelby County Health Department guidelines. However, one confirmed case does not necessarily mean canceling a class or closing school.

Devices will be distributed to each child in the first three weeks of school. Even in the in-person and hybrid option, plans are in place to shift to virtual if needed.

Earlier this week, parents questioned the hybrid model Collierville announced on Friday, July 24. Tuesday night, parents engaged in an hour and a half of public comment.

During that meeting, district staff said they were increasing online course options.

Many parents asked if they could sign a medical release to send their kids back to school five days per week, but legal counsel advised staff the medical rights of minors could not be waived.