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Principals and Staff Update Board on Efforts During Crisis

In a called meeting of the Vidalia City School Board on Wednesday morning, system Principals gave an update on how they are handling the day to day operations of the schools during the Corona Virus Pandemic.

Vidalia High School Principal John Sharpe said “obviously we are living in uncertain times, but we are blessed to have teachers and staff who care about and love our kids enough to stay engaged in their learning process as much as it is possible.” Sharpe explained that during this time teachers have been able to use Google Classroom as well as Zoom conferencing to stay in touch with the students. “It has made a huge difference, for us to have the ability to communicate with the students and give them some direction during these times” added Sharpe. “We have also been making use of Social Media to keep everyone  informed of what is happening and also to promote our Seniors who have really been affected by the situation.”

Sharpe also spoke on the scheduling of extra-curricular activities that have been affected by the situation. “I know we have a lot of unanswered questions about events that were scheduled during this time and in the future. But honestly we don’t have any definite answers, because we don’t know if and when we will come back” Sharpe went on to say that “we are trying to come up with plans for these activities to take place at some point, we just don’t know what they will look like at this point.”

Sharpe advised that Registration is still going on and that the Counselors were working hard from home in order to have things ready for when schools are back in session.

J.R. Trippe Principal Dr. Sandy Reid echoed Sharpe’s comments saying “using Google Classroom has been very successful, with a little over 40% of the students participating. I know that sounds low, but we have a lot of students who either don’t have access to internet or a computer, so we have had to take that in to consideration.”

Reid went on to say that the teachers have been in contact with parents to find out about access to internet and computers and the ones who don’t have access have alternatives “if a student does not have access to the internet or a computer we are making packets with the same information available to the students and they will be passed out at the school on Thursday and Friday 9:00 until 2:00.”

Scott Stephens who is the Principal at Sally D Meadows, said that they too are pleased with the response of their students and teachers during this difficult time “we have had an average of 140 packets per grade picked up over the past two weeks, and I think that is a credit to not only the teachers but also the parents who want their children to stay involved in learning in some way.”

JD Dickerson also had a good response to handing out packets of learning information to students over the past week and Principal Brenda McLain stressed how important it is for each child to have the opportunity, “I would encourage parents to get these packets and use the information provided, to keep the student involved so they don’t regress.”

McLain also advised that registration and applications for preschool are still being accepted and that there has been a good response thus far.

Another highlight of the morning came when the system’s Nutrition Program Director Denise Parson gave a report on the progress of the lunches that are being prepared for the students while they are not in session. “This whole thing has been pretty amazing. We have provided over 12,000 meals in the last two weeks and it has truly been a remarkable thing to see.” Parson’s staff has come to the forefront to make sure that the meals were provided each day “the staff has been amazing, and I am so appreciative of their dedication to our students and knowing what it means to know that these kids are getting fed each day, even when they are not in school.”

Parson also thanked several churches and agencies for stepping up to the plate during this crisis “The Vidalia Church of God and St Paul’s AME have been amazing! They have come out every day and handed out food to these children along with the Boys and Girls Club and other volunteers.” Parsons added that the Vidalia Police Department has been very helpful as well “Corporal Carpenter and Captain Jamon have been great and we so appreciate them and all of the Police Officers.”

Parson went on to say that there will be no meal delivery during Spring Break, which begins on Monday but that they should be back at it again the following week.

Superintendent Dr. Garrett Wilcox summed up the meeting by saying that he appreciates everyone’s efforts from the teachers and administrators, to the maintenance folks and staff “I am so proud of our staff and teachers and so appreciative of their efforts and dedication, as they continue to try and help our students learn during this unusual time.”

Wilcox stressed that if parents had any questions or concerns that they could call the schools or the Board Office.

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