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Schools, universities announce plans regarding classes, services due to COVID-19 closures

Local schools and Universities announce plans for classes amid concerns over coronavirus
Credit: wzdx
0202 rising tuition

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Some schools and universities in the valley have announced closures due to concerns over COVID-19. Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday in her State of Emergency declaration that all Alabama schools will be closed after Wednesday, March 18. Some schools here in the Tennessee Valley have announced they will be closing before the mandated day.

Calhoun Community College Beginning Tuesday, March 17, all campuses will be closed and there will be no face-to-face, in-person classes at the Decatur campus, Huntsville campus, and Alabama Center for the Arts. This will continue through Friday, April 3.

All on-campus computer labs will be closed. The college will cover any test proctoring fees students may incur for remote testing. The Star Institute will provide all tutoring services online by appointment.

The college’s Distance Learning Department will provide assistance to students experiencing any issues accessing their online coursework. Send emails to:  dlservices@calhoun.edu.   

Students requiring ADA services should contact Dr. Ina Smith, Director of Student Disability Services/ADA, at ina.smith@calhoun.edu.

Students needing advising assistance should email advising@calhoun.edu. 

For more information on resources for students that will be available at Calhoun, read the full announcement here.

Tennessee Valley School Closures:

Starting Monday, March 16th, Albertville City Schools will be closed. The schools will be closed through Friday, April 3rd. All school administrators, 12 month employees, custodial staff, and CNP managers should report to work sites Monday morning at 8:00AM. All other employees should report to school campuses on Monday, April 6th.

Arab City Schools will begin Spring Break Monday, March 16. The school will not reopen before April 6. Grade-specific review lessons and resources have been posted on the Arab City Schools' website.

Boaz City Schools announced Saturday on their Facebook page that schools in the district will be closed beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, April 3rd. According to the post, the decision is about the safety, security, health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. 

The post goes on to say all school system 12-month employees should report to their work site on Monday at 8AM and that all other employees should report to their school campuses on Monday, April 6th unless instructed otherwise.

Decatur City Schools will be open Monday, March 16, but students are encouraged to stay home if possible. On Tuesday, March 17, the school system will transition to "virtual support," digital assignments without teacher instruction.

Florence City Schools will be closed Tuesday, March 17, until Monday, April 6. Parents should have received information from their school's principal concerning instructional opportunities to help students while schools are closed. Parents are encouraged to pick-up instructional packets for their elementary-age students, and any daily medication any students may need during the closure. They can do so Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Grace Lutheran School will be closed Monday, March 16 through April 3. 

Guntersville City Schools announced Saturday they will be closed starting Monday, March 16th until April 6th. All 12-month employees, should report to the Central Office on Monday, March 16th.

Hartselle City Schools will be open Monday, March 16, but students are encouraged to stay home if possible. The school system will be closed starting Tuesday, March 17. Parents can pick up school work packets (for practice only), or their child's medication at the school school office Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Jackson County Schools will remain open through Wednesday, March 18. However, attendance is not mandatory Monday-Wednesday, and absences will be excused.They will not affect semester test exemptions. On Tuesday, each school will contact parents and guardians to determine who may need food during this extended school closure. Please be aware of needs of students' friends, classmates, or neighbors to help schools identify those. Jackson County Schools will assess the situation and determine the best course of action moving forward. 

Huntsville City Schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16. Staff and teachers will be in the building Monday so families can pick up essential items, such as medications, technology devices, student materials, gym clothes, etc. between 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Athletic events are still scheduled to continue through Tuesday, March 17. School sponsored activities scheduled ruing the state-wide school closure are suspended until April 30.

Limestone County Schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16. All after-school related activities are canceled during the closure. All 12-month employees will report on Monday only for a regular workday. Faculty and students will be able to gather personal belongings Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Madison City Schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16 and will remain closed for the 3-weeks closure period. All school activities and athletics will be cancelled. All employees will report to work Monday as normal. Teachers' last day will be Monday, March 16. 

Teachers will upload learning materials for students into Google Classroom by the middle of the week. The school system says the instructional materials aren't mandatory for students. 

Starting Tuesday, March 17, the school system will begin distributing needed devices through students' schools. More information will be provided soon. If your child needs a device or internet access during the closure, you can fill out this device checkout form here.

Madison County Schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16 - Friday, April 3. The school system says they will send an update by Sunday, April 5 to confirm the April 6 anticipated return date.

Marshall County Schools announced Saturday all school facilities will be closed beginning Monday, March 16th. In a Facebook post, Marshall County Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Saye Wigley said the plan is for schools to reopen Monday, April 6th. Starting Monday, all school related activities are cancelled, including athletics, athletic practice, prom, as well as all other extracurricular activities.

Morgan County Schools has announced that parents who wish to keep their children at home beginning Monday, March 16th, are welcomed to do so and student absences will be excused up and through the statewide school closing on Thursday.

Parents who would like to get instant notifications from Morgan County Schools can download the school system's app. It can be downloaded by visited the school system's website, scrolling to the bottom and choosing your phone type.

Muscle Shoals City Schools will be closed starting Tuesday, March 17 and will remained closed through Friday, April 3. All schools will be in session Monday, March 16. You can get more information on their website.

Lauderdale County Schools will close at the end of the school day Wednesday, March 18, and will remain closed until Monday, April 6. All field trips, evens, proms, athletic practices, and games are canceled. The school system's facilities and buildings will be closed to public use for all events, meetings, youth league games, and practices. 

Tuscumbia City Schools will close starting Thursday, March 19 and plans to reopen Monday, April 6. Parents who wish to keep their children home Monday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 18 may do so; the absences will be excused and will not count against exam exemptions.

Colbert County Schools will close starting Thursday, March 19. All school-related events and activities will be canceled until April 30. Classes will be offered online and Chromebooks will be available for checkout. Students who do not have access to Wi-Fi will be able to complete assignments available for download with an internet connection, or can take home a paper pack with class work. 

Franklin County Schools (Alabama) will close Thursday, March 19. Absences from Monday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 18, will be excused.

Russellville City Schools will close Thursday, March 19. Absences on Monday, March 16 - Wednesday, March 18 will be excused. 

Lawrence County Schools will close Thursday, March 19. Absences Monday - Wednesday will be excused. No school work will be assigned or required during the closure. Resources for student learning will be offered during the closure, but no curriculum or e-learning will be required. 

Athens City Schools will close Thursday, March 19. eLearning options will be available Monday through Wednesday, and will be available to any student by request. Athens City Schools say they plan to return following their scheduled Spring Break holiday. 

Jackson County Schools will close Thursday, March 19. Absences Monday - Wednesday will be excused. In the coming days, the school system will be reaching out to parents and guardians to determine the needs of students, such as food.

Scottsboro City Schools will close Thursday, March 19. Absences Monday - Wednesday will be excused. 

DeKalb County Schools will close Thursday, March 19. Absences Monday - Wednesday will be excused. 

Fort Payne City Schools will close Thursday, March 19. Absences Monday - Wednesday will be excused. 

RELATED: Madison County Schools kicks off 'Free Drive Thru Meals' for students

RELATED: Tennessee Valley Schools offering meals for students

College and University Closings:

On Saturday, Athens State University announced all on-campus and blended classes will transition to online instruction starting after Spring Break, Monday, March 23rd.

Please visit Athens State's web page with communication regarding the coronavirus, which school officials say will be updated regularly.

RELATED: UAH students won't return to campus after spring break

WZDX News will continue to provide updates should we receive new information regarding schools and universities closing due to the coronavirus.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

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