As our new normal emerges, we must remember that SCS students are children first, and admonitions of “social distancing” go against the very notion of being a child. Students need authentic opportunities to interact with one another, be seen, and be heard and we commit to making that happen.

Decisions about payment and future tests are among scores of questions and adjustments that all states are dealing with after the pandemic shuttered schools nationwide before testing season got underway.

Should classes resume in school buildings, officials are considering the logistics necessary for social distancing, such as staggered school days where certain grades would go on certain days, splitting classes into half-day sessions and running more bus routes. 

Besides large-scale changes in the ways classes and labs are offered, UTHSC expects more funding cuts from Nashville.

At a price tag of about $1 million, the program marks the first major statewide investment in addressing learning loss due to the public health emergency.

Board members also approved a $65 million capital improvement budget — more than double the $25 million that the county mayor has proposed for school building needs.

Germantown Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request by SCS that would allow a 22,000 square-foot addition at Germantown Elementary School. Board members cited concerns with potential enrollment increases and traffic concerns.

Community service hours completed by St. Mary’s Community Fund students open new opportunities for a lifetime of service.

Teacher association leaders objected to the pause, saying the district was using the pandemic as an “excuse” and that Superintendent Joris Ray’s administration has not explored all options to funnel more money to teacher pay.  

Germantown Elementary wants to replace 10 portables with more classrooms in a 22,000-square-foot building. Although the district says it won't increase traffic neighbors have concerns.

Altogether, the budget proposal cuts 220 full-time positions and adds 199 part-time positions. It also sets aside $6 million for the 1% salary increase for teachers and licensed staff such as school counselors and psychologists.

Reverend Jacek Kowal cited changing demographics in Collierville, competing private schools and COVID-19 among factors which led to decision to shut school doors.

Rhodes College, University of Memphis and Christian Brothers University leaders hope life returns to normal when the fall semester should begin, but they are making contingency plans.

Davidson County Chancellor Anne C. Martin also scolded the state education department for its “mixed messaging” in continuing to take applications for the voucher program without alerting parents about the status of the legal case.

A children's art show, lectures, story time with Michelle Obama and a run/walk/bike event on Saturday are planned to observe the event.

The Memphis College of Art Legacy Catalog celebrates the school's 84-year history with lots of photographs and names.

With an assist from the Society of International Paediatric Oncology, the registry has been publicized around the world.

Memphis College of Art is closing and graduates its last class on May 9. The pandemic has made a difficult situation harder, forcing the college to substitute a prerecorded commencement video for the real graduation ritual.

The school of music is not the same without togetherness and non-digital interaction.

One lawsuit over education savings accounts, or vouchers, pits the state against Metro Nashville and Shelby County governments, as well as Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Another was filed on behalf of parents in Memphis and Nashville.

The announcement came about a week after the state released graduation ceremony guidelines. School systems nationwide have grappled with how to honor their graduating students while still adhering to public health guidelines to stem the spread of the coronavirus. 

The coronavirus has ground most of the economy to a halt and created financial uncertainty for both traditional and charter schools. Last week in Memphis, charter network KIPP announced plans to close two of its schools, partly because of its struggle to secure long-term funding during the pandemic.

Students will miss at least 50 days of classroom instruction — almost a third of the school year — because of the pandemic.

KIPP officials say they will continue remote learning plans through the end of the school year, but the closings will mean hundreds of students will have to find new schools this fall. 

Plans for a new high school, possibly in Frayser, could receive initial funds under county Mayor Lee Harris' 2020-21 fiscal year proposal. But other approvals are needed for the project to move forward.