CDC issues new guidelines for reopening schools

CDC issues new guidelines for reopening schools

As we mentioned -- the c-d-c released new guidelines for schools.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live outside of cedar hill elementary school in ardmore.

He spoke with the limestone county superintendent and a parent about student safety before school starts.

Will?

For parents with kids in the limestone county schools system, that start date is two weeks from today.

A mother i spoke with says as long as there was an option for her son to come back to class here, that was always the plan.

Morgan whitt, mother i never had to debate.

I knew that he was going to go back.

That unwavering desire to go back is shared not only by morgan whitt, but also by her son, walker.

He and others held a parade for his teachers over the summer.

She says seeing them through a screen for the whole fall just wouldn't cut it.

Morgan whitt, mother the school that he's in and the staff that's taking care of him every day is going to keep him as safe as possible.

Late this week, the c-d-c put out new guidelines for parents and educators.

Among the suggestions was data saying that less than seven percent of all coronavirus cases are children younger than 18.

Whitt says it's not just the virus she's thinking about, but the fact that walker is a special needs learner and needs those teachers.

She says that was a tough lesson she learned this spring.

Morgan whitt, mother it's really hard to realize you children need something and it's something that you can't do for them.

Dr. randy shearouse is the superintendent for limestone county schools.

He's taking part in a meeting with superintendents around the country over the weekend.

He says being able to talk with educators from across the country will help him with managing schools in limestone county.

Dr. randy shearouse, superintendent, limestone county schools it's just reassuring to know that we're all trying to do the best for our students and do the best for our teachers and make sure that we can return to school safely and securely.

He says they're going through the updated c-d-c recommendation s and will discuss their plan further with the board on tuesday.

Dr. shearouse says they will be closely watching how things go during the first month.

Dr. randy shearouse, superintendent, limestone county schools maybe we can loosen some things after that first month or we may have to tighten things up at that point.

As the moon sets over her son's school, whitt says she's counting down the nights and days before her son can come back here to learn once again...confident that it will be safe when he does.

Morgan whitt, mother they clean and sanitize when there's not a pandemic.

So now, they're absolutely going to make extra sure that everything is clean and separate so the kids can be here as much as possible.

The first day of school for limestone county schools is august 7.

Reporting live in ardmore, will robinson-smith, waay 31 news.