Rockdale County Public Schools switches to online classes due to COVID

Rockdale County Public Schools will be starting classes virtually in the New Year.

The move was made amid the surge of coronavirus cases in Georgia due to the highly contagious omicron variant, according to a statement.

“In short, our local community spread is extremely significant,” Superintendent Terry Oatts said in the statement.

ExploreMetro Atlanta parents weigh risks of schools reopening amid omicron

Students were scheduled to return to school buildings next week, following their winter break. Now, they will pick up classes remotely from Tuesday through Jan. 7.

The district plans to return to in-person classes on Jan. 10.

“Staff, students, and families are urged to get tested for COVID-19 before the return to in-person learning,” the statement said.

ExploreMetro Atlanta school districts remain divided on mask policies

Clayton County Schools said it will also conduct classes online next week.

On Thursday, Georgia set a daily record for new confirmed and probable coronavirus infections with more than 25,000. That’s nearly double the worst day the state reported before the omicron variant, according to health data.

Message from the Superintendent: RCPS virtual learning January 4-7, 2022, returns to in-person learning January 10, 2022. Students, staff, families urged to get tested for COVID-19 before Jan. 10th. Free testing info: https://t.co/Ar937mavOd. Full article@https://t.co/1umx0gVJpq pic.twitter.com/zpfPvxEpZc
— Rockdale County Public Schools (@RockdaleSchools) December 30, 2021

ExploreCoronavirus in schools: All the latest news on protocols and policies

About the Author

Susan Hogan

Susan Hogan is a contract politics editor based in Missouri. She previously was the AJC's education editor. Before joining the AJC in 2020, she was an editor at The Washington Post. As a reporter, she won numerous national honors, including a public service award for team reports on arson fires at South Carolina Black churches.

Fulton to close two elementary schools despite parent protests

Spalding Drive Elementary School in Sandy Springs and Parklane Elementary in East Point will close at the end of the school year. Students will be rezoned to other schools.