DCS Superintendent thanks parents, gives system update

It’s been one year since Daleville City Schools joined schools statewide in a March 18, 2020 shut down. As the first cases of the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus in Alabama were confirmed, Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency and announced the closure of all schools K-12 in the state starting at the end of the school day March 18, 2020. In addition, all athletic events were cancelled.

As a “new normal” evolved in every aspect of life, Daleville City Schools joined those offering virtual learning, outdoor homework drop off boxes, mandated face coverings, social distancing and free box meals for all students.

As the first school year conducted entirely under the “new normal” draws to an end, Daleville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Stamps provided a system progress report and the plan for moving forward in a March 5 message to parents via printed letter and video.

Stamps said the next school year—2021-2022—will have only face-to-face learning and virtual or blended learning will not be offered, Stamps said. That decision was made for the DCS after numerous discussions with State Department of Education, Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, and school leadership throughout the state reiterated that the best place for students to learn is at school face-to-face. “Therefore, I am recommending that all virtual students return to school these last nine weeks to allow them engaging opportunities to finish the year strong in all their subjects,” Stamps said. “Being at school with teachers daily will help get them ready for the fall when they will have normal school schedules Monday through Friday.

“I am very happy to report that we do not have any current ‘positive’ cases or anyone being quarantined for the COVID virus,” Stamps said, adding that over the course of the school year only 40 students and 25 staff members tested positive. “We can be grateful for the many people in our system who worked hard to keep our schools and buses clean and to our nurses for staying on top of things regarding those who needed to quarantine.

“As we near the end of the third nine weeks of the 2020-2021 school year, we are planning to close out strong,” Stamps stressed, outlining ways acclimating students back to face-to-face learning. “This will be vital to get students into normal routines and set them up for success in the fall,” she said.

During this last nine weeks of the school year, one goal is to ensure that students have mastered their grade level content. “This is very important for each of our students to be ready to advance to the next grade level,” Stamps said.

Preparing students for spring testing is another priority. “This is very important as our students and our school will be judged by these measures,” Stamps said. All students, virtual and face-to-face are required to be at school during testing. There is no waiver for students to take standardized tests at home. “These test results determine the accountability of our students and our schools so students need to do the following: Be at school on time, get rest the night before, eat a good breakfast these mornings and do their very best on the tests,” she said. ACAP dates for second through eighth graders are April 12 through 16.

Getting school back to “normal” is also a priority, Stamps said. “This is very important to provide students with social opportunities they have missed over the past year.

“The facts are clear, throughout the year and across the state and country, there has been a drastic decline in students’ grades and learning,” Stamps said. “Of course, we made the sacrifice to allow for virtual learning for the safety of our students. Those sacrifices have resulted in more students having failed grades.

“As we are turning a corner now and seeing fewer risks, we need to return to the best method of learning—which is traditional,” Stamps said. “If students are at school during the fourth nine weeks, they stand a greater chance of finishing strong and bringing up failed grades so they can progress to the next grade.

“If students have failed grades they will be able to come to summer school to have another opportunity to learn and pass the course or grade. If they fail this spring and do not come to summer school or pass in the summer they will repeat the course/grade,” she explained. “With all this being said, it is imperative that students work hard this spring.”

“We want our students to be well rounded and have a memorable school experience which means they will have opportunities to participate in sports and other contests, school activities and awards ceremonies,” Stamps said. “These are part of what school life is all about—but were sacrificed this year for safety reasons.

“We are planning for spring and end-of-year activities such as graduation, prom, kindergarten graduation, awards days and athletic banquets,” Stamps said. “While we allowed virtual students to participate in band and athletics and seniors will be allowed to walk at graduation in May, these other planned activities for all grades these last nine weeks will be only for face-to-face students.

“I am strongly recommending that parents send virtual students back to school this last nine-weeks which begins March 15,” Stamps said. “We believe it will set students up for success. We are excited to begin this transition because it is what is best for our students. We will focus on the promise of their future.

Stamps asked those with questions to contact their child’s school or the central office.

“I cannot say enough how much I appreciate all the many efforts of our parents for working so well with us this school year in the middle of a pandemic. Thank you for not letting it stop you,” she added. “Thank you for your resilience—through all this, we will rise.”