Educators at Fort Knox Community Schools have been busy preparing to teach students through distance learning since Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear mandated March 12 that all state schools close.
Though FKCS closed the doors to its facilities March 16, they will be opening virtual classrooms March 19. On March 13, the Department of Defense Education Activity Americas Southeast District delivered a letter announcing the plan.
“This action is being taken as a prudent measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time, students should not report back to school until Monday, April 6,” wrote DODEA Americas Southeast District Chief of Staff Gregory Bull. “Staff will report at the usual time to begin online [virtual classrooms] training.”
Along with the shift in teaching format, DODEA officials also canceled or postponed all scholastic and athletic competitions, practices, performances, school trips and any other events or activities that normally take place at the schools.
Officials also urged parents to keep up-to-date on any changes to guidelines posted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website as well as response and prevention efforts made by DODEA.
“We have plans in place at the district and school-level, and DODEA headquarters is committed to providing schools with all the resources necessary,” wrote Bull. “The district will review conditions and publish an update each Friday by 5 p.m. on the local school web pages.
“DODEA and Fort Knox leadership will continue to coordinate closely to ensure accurate and timely information is available and to encourage all appropriate measures to help prevent the spread of the virus.”
Officials delivered a letter to parents March 13, and another one March 17. In the most recent letter, written by Dr. Christy Huddleston, DODEA Americas Southeast District superintendent, she encouraged students to access the District Digital Learning landing page at the DODEA Americas Southeast District website and make contact with teachers by visiting their digital learning plan.
For those who don’t have internet at home or a computer, she asked parents to contact their school to receive a laptop and a workaround plan for internet access.
“Thank you for your understanding, patience and willingness to help us make this a successful learning experience,” Huddleston wrote. “While this mode of virtual learning is new for all of us, we are firmly committed to providing your students with an engaging and meaningful learning experience while keeping them on track for success and graduation.”
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