Education
Schools Reopen, Tri-County Battleplan Breakdown by Dustin Cardon
Hinds County Recently, the Hinds County School District Board of Trustees approved the district’s reopening plan for the 20202021 school year, which will have all district schools tentatively reopening on Monday, Aug. 10, with safety measures in place for students, faculty and staff. The Hinds County reopening plan includes options for virtual, in-person and hybrid learning for children. As a measure to safeguard health at schools, staff will conduct daily temperature checks of everyone entering school buildings and will require anyone riding on school buses or entering a building to wear masks or face coverings, with limited medical exceptions. Staff members will sanitize all classrooms, common areas and buses daily. HCSD is also asking parents to purchase masks and hand sanitizer of their own to prepare for the reopening. HCSD will stock hand sanitizer in each classroom and every building and will conduct regularly scheduled handwashing for all students and staff. Students will stay in the same classroom the whole day and teachers will rotate to classes instead. All schools will have strict social-distancing rules in place for hallways and common areas, and students will eat meals in their classrooms or outside when possible rather than in the cafeteria. Buses will run at reduced capacity, with a maximum of 30 students per bus. As part of a partnership with Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Medical Clinic, HCSD is also setting up clinics
EVENTS
July 22 - August 4, 2020 • jfp.ms
Mississippi schools reopen this August, with social distancing and other health-conscious protocols.
where faculty will distribute information on children’s classes and on accessing the digital platform and tools HCSD will use this year. These meetings will take place by appointment on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and Wednesday, Aug. 5. The HCSD Technology Team is also providing a series of “Parent Technology Academies.” The first was held on Tuesday, July 21, and further installments will be held Thursday, July 23, Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31. Read the full HCSD plan at hinds.k12.ms.
Madison County In the Madison County School District, students will start going back to school on a modified schedule starting Aug. 6., with in-person classes set to begin on Aug. 17. Students will alternate in-person school days with days of distance-learning activities, with all students participating in distance learning on Aug. 14. On Aug. 17, students will return to school for in-person instruction for the remainder of the semester. MCSD will provide a distance-learning option for students with medical or health concerns that may put them especially at risk from the COVID-19 pandemic. A form to enroll in virtual learning is available on the MCSD website through Friday, July 24. All MCSD school campuses will have Wi-Fi available outside if needed. Bus drivers with MCSD will disinfect handrails, seat tops and entrance doors and place seat markings for social distancing. Drivers will also open roof hatches and windows for increased air flow. All students on buses will have to wear masks at all times. MCSD will provide for student hand-washing and sanitizing before and after meal service, mark spaced lines to enter the cafeteria and serving lines, designate entrances and exit flow paths, and clean high-touch surfaces throughout each day, Gene Wright, director of communications for MCSD, says. Individual principals will determine social distancing rules for cafeterias, which are set to remain open. Each school will determine its own dining rules. For more information on MCSD’s reopening plan, visit mcssk12.org.
Rankin County As detailed in its “Smart Restart” reopening plan, the Rankin County School District will begin the 2020 fall semester on Monday, Aug. 10. Schools will operate on
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COMMUNITY
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that can perform COVID-19 tests in every school. School officials will identify possible cases, isolate any positive COVID-19 cases detected and conduct contact tracing in collaboration with the Mississippi State Department of Health, a release from HCSD says. The district is currently registering parents for upcoming meetings with homeroom teachers in small groups, courtesy JPS
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cross Mississippi, public schools are making plans to reopen in the fall despite the ongoing COVID19 pandemic. Local school districts are all making their own preparations and putting health, social distancing and other protocols into place to prepare for the attempt to return to in-person learning for students after months of school closures.
History Is Lunch Series July 22, July 29, Aug. 5, noon-1 p.m., via Facebook Live. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History hosts the series of lectures featuring guest speakers who present of varying topics. Livestreams of discussions available virtually through MDAH’s Facebook page. Free admission; call 601-576-6800; mdah.ms.gov. Gorgeous Grandma Day July 23, 2-5 p.m., at The Blake at Flowood (350 Town Center Way, Suite A, Flowood). Participants walk the runway in their favorite outfits for the annual fashion show and photoshoot. Admission TBA; call 601345-2202; email info.flowood@blakeliving.com; find it on Facebook. Southlife 2020 July 25, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., July 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Trustmark Park Stadium (1 Braves Way, Pearl). The car and truck show includes vendors, music, a “Bass Wars” stereo competition, a limbo contest and more. Features drive-thru judging. Free to spectators. $42.95
outdoor parking, $75.95 parking + “Bass Wars” entry; 601-319-9167; email southlifecarshow@ gmail.com; find it on Facebook. NAMI Mississippi’s Minority Mental Health Conference July 28, 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., Virtual. NAMI hosts the inaugural minorityfocused, mental-health conference. Speakers present on mental health and provide resources for participants. Discounts available for active NAMI members and limited scholarships available for NAMI peers (individuals with a mentalhealth condition). $20 general admission; call 800-357-0388; email stateconference@namims. org; namims.org.
KIDS Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer! July 8-22, 9 a.m., at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.). The children’s museum presents its latest traveling exhibit based on the Nickelodeon television series. $10 admission; call 601-981-5469; email neely@mcm.ms; mschildrensmuseum.org.
SPORTS & WELLNESS Choreorobics Dance Off July 24, July 26, July 28, July 31, Aug. 2, Aug. 4, 5:30 p.m., Zoom. Professional choreographers Roger & Tena host virtual hip-hop dance and fitness classes via Zoom. $7 per class, $10 two classes, $40 unlimited classes/month; call 601-853-7480; email choreorobics@yahoo.com; choreorobics.com.
STAGE & SCREEN Family Movie Night: “Trolls” World Tour July 31, 8 p.m., at Brandon Amphitheater (8190 Rock Way, Brandon). The theater holds a limited screening of “Trolls.” Gates open 7 p.m. $5 adult, $2 children (ages 10 and under); call 601724-2726; brandonms.org.
CONCERTS & FESTIVALS The District Green LIVE July 23, July 30, 7-9 p.m., at The District at Eastover (1250 Eastover Drive). The District opens its central community green space for people to view the live perfor-
mances held weekly by different artists. Social distancing required. Food available for purchase from nearby restaurants. Free admission, food and drink prices vary; call 601-914-0800; find it on Facebook. Unpredictable Fridays July 31, 9 p.m., at 4th Avenue Lounge (209 S. Lamar St.). DJ Unpredictable 601 hosts at the bar. Food and drinks available for purchase. Social-distancing policies enforced. Admission TBA; call 601-259-5825; email iam4thavenue@gmail.com; Facebook. Strung Like a Horse at Martin’s Downtown Aug. 1, 10 p.m.-, at Martin’s Downtown (214 S. State St.). The band—known for its signature brand of Americana, distilled from oldschool storytelling, newgrass instrumentations and alt-rock edge—performs live. Admission TBA; call 601-354-9712; find it on Facebook.
LITERARY “The Mysterious Messenger” Discussion July 25, noon, via Facebook Live. Author and illustrator Gilbert Ford discusses his book with Ellen Daniels of the Mississippi Book Festival through Lemuria’s Facebook page. Signed, first-edition copies available for purchase. Free admission,
