From Staff Reports
Piedmont Public Schools opened the doors for in-person learning Tuesday, Jan. 19, with an alternating schedule for seventh through 12th graders who attend two or three days a week.
Piedmont Schools went to all virtual learning Dec. 14 before Christmas break and the district classes started the spring semester with virtual, or distance learning from home.
There was an increase in cases of COVID-19 in Piedmont Schools after Thanksgiving break, Superintendent Dr. James White reported. A surge after the Christmas break was a concern.
“In anticipation of the continual rise of positive cases and quarantines during and following the holiday break, we will resume distance learning for the beginning of the second semester on Jan. 5. Students will have the opportunity to return to in-person classes on Jan. 19,” White reported. “We certainly understand the hardship this places on our families, however, the health of our students and staff is our priority.”
The school district has 4,508 students enrolled for the spring semester, according to enrollment figures released at the Monday, Jan. 11 school board meeting. There are 1,200 students in high school , 710 students in the middle school, 711 students in the intermediate school, and in elementary schools there are 518 students at Stoneridge, 457 students at Northwood, 386, Piedmont Elementary, and 526 children at the Early Childhood Center.
Students in grades pre-kindergarten through sixth attend in-person. Students in grades seventh through 12th attend two or three days a week based on the first letter of their last name.
The number of COVID-19 cases is being tracked for the second part of January with students returning for in-person learning.
Masks are required in Piedmont Schools.
