Metro Atlanta School Districts, Colleges Move To Online Learning; Students Can Get Meals

Updated at 8 p.m. Sunday

The Georgia Department of Education has received federal approval to offer meals to students in the case of extended closures due to COVID-19.

This means schools can serve students’ meals at alternative locations by partnering with community organizations. The GDOE says schools could start serving meals as soon as Monday, March 16.

“We know food insecurity for students who rely on school meals is a major concern during school closures,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a statement. “We are going to make sure there are options available for students as long as they’re needed, and state and district school nutrition staff are working round-the-clock to get this up and running for Georgia’s kids.”

Metro Atlanta School Districts Meal Service Sites

Atlanta Public Schools: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hpQ2DP-MOyTzwQRlZW8iHKCxGz7u7JMx/view

Cherokee: https://www.mustministries.org/cherokee-co

Clayton: https://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/

Cobb: http://cobbcast.cobbk12.org/?p=32111

DeKalb: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/

Forsyth: https://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/

Fulton: https://www.fultonschools.org/

Gwinnett: http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public/about/content/covid-19/school-meals

Rockdale: https://tinyurl.com/suffu62

Following guidance from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office, most metro Atlanta public school districts will close Monday, March 16, for one to two weeks in most cases. The Cobb County School District is closed until further notice. The Fulton County School System reported over the weekend that another faculty member has tested positive for the virus.

Districts will switch to online learning programs during this time.

The Georgia Department of Education has compiled a list of closures here: https://www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/communications/Pages/COVID-19-School-Closures.aspx

The Georgia Board of Regents has also made the decision to close its 26 colleges and universities starting March 16 for two weeks.

Some private colleges and universities — including Emory University, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse School of Medicine — have extended their spring breaks to March 22. Students and faculty won’t return to campus, finishing the semester via online learning.

Coronavirus web pages for some local school districts:

Cobb County School District: http://cobbcast.cobbk12.org/?p=31924

Fulton County School System: https://www.fultonschools.org/coronavirus

Cherokee County Public Schools: https://www.cherokeek12.net/News/covid3920#sthash.xdNq3omR.gvLY28Ny.dpbs

DeKalb County School District: https://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/news/cdc-guidance-on-coronavirus/

Clayton County Public Schools: https://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=54515&pageId=23568134

Gwinnett County Public Schools: https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/wcm/connect/b10a8cab-129a-4d04-9d70-535cbc5507f1/Coronavirus-Update-flyer-current_1-20.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID=m.ZyMei

Atlanta Public Schools: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/coronavirus

Marietta City Schools: https://www.marietta-city.org/coronavirus

City Schools of Decatur: https://www.csdecatur.net/covid19

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