Bibb County Schools to end school year early due to coronavirus pandemic. Here’s more.
The Bibb County School District announced that, with the country still in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic, its academic year will end three weeks early and conclude on May 1.
“After speaking with the Board of Education, we have made the decision to end instruction, or eLearning, for the academic year on Friday, May 1,” Superintendent Curtis Jones said in a statement. “This has been a very challenging time for all of us. ... I want to express my sympathy for our students and teachers who will not be able to close out the year as we normally do.”
The academic year was originally to end on May 22.
Jones also noted that “until May 1, though, we will continue learning,” and he encouraged students to work on “improving your grades and preparing for next school year.”
He added that high school graduations, originally set for the fourth weekend in May, have been postponed until tentative dates of July 29 and 30.
“But I must be clear: It may still not be safe in July,” Jones said. “I don’t want to give anyone a false hope about graduation. We will reassess health and safety guidelines for large events midsummer. If we determine it is still unsafe to host the ceremonies in person, each high school will host a virtual ceremony on July 29-30.”
Jones said that even if in-person ceremonies are held that “tickets will be limited to a very small number, and we will continue to follow all social distancing guidelines.”
He added that high school principals will inform graduating seniors about how to obtain caps and gowns and said that if there are “virtual” ceremonies that “we will ensure graduates receive their diplomas.”
Said Jones: “For those who will not be here to attend the ceremonies on July 29-30 because of college, enlistments or other reasons, I am sorry. You deserved your day.”
In March, Gov. Brian Kemp ordered all public schools to end in-person classes for the remainder of the schools year.