Published August 14, 2020

Williamson County Schools announced its return to campus plan for traditional, on-campus students and staff beginning Monday, August 24. WCS will be using a phased-in approach.

The district continues to be in regular contact with State and local health authorities and others as it works to make informed decisions regarding the return to school for students. As of today, the county has dropped into the Low Community Spread after a slow reduction the past three weeks from the community peak. Mayor Anderson’s mask order remains in effect. Local authorities and service providers have shared that this reduced rate has been positively felt in their services. Screenings, mask requirements and other safety protocols have worked well for students and staff who have been on campus during the Medium Protocol.

At the same time, Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Pearcy has stated that when schools reopen there will be positive cases. The district is dependent on the local health department‘s work in those cases to ensure that they have the staff to conduct contact tracing when those events occur.

Based on all the information, WCS will be opening campuses to additional grade levels through a phased-in return to ensure a smooth transition for the students’ first days on campus. The phased-in approach helps ensure district safety protocols can be implemented properly and that appropriate contact tracing by the health department can take place. This approach gives WCS the best chance for sustained traditional/on-campus learning.

The schedule is as follows:

• Beginning Monday, August 24, all elementary school students, including Pre-K and EC, will be on their school campus for on-campus learning. Bus service will be offered, and cafeterias will serve meals. Students in sixth through twelfth grades will remain remote.
• On Friday, August 28, sixth and ninth grade students will return to campus for on-campus learning. This will allow our newest learners at these school campuses to become familiar with the building, school day, etc. Bus service will be offered, and cafeterias will serve meals.
• Beginning Monday, August 31, all traditional students will be on-campus. Bus service will be offered, and cafeterias will serve meals.
• WCS Online students will continue with their online program of study through the semester.

The district thanks so many of you for sharing your thoughts on how instruction is provided. Please know that each decision is based on the most current information and the district's determination of how to best serve students and staff.

Families will hear from their child’s school principal next week with more specific information regarding their school’s schedule.

Should community spread conditions worsen, adjustments to these next steps may need to be made. The district will continue to keep you informed.