RABUN COUNTY, Ga – Citing the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, Rabun County Schools announced the decision to move to virtual learning for three days before the Christmas Break. The school district currently plans to return to in-person learning on January 5, 2021.

A meal program is in place for the next three days for children and on Friday, the pre-ordered meals for the next week will be available.

Rabun County reported 197 new cases over two weeks as of December 15. The Department of Public Health (DPH) labeled Rabun as an emerging county of interest with a greater than 25 percent increase in COVID-19 cases. It’s also a high transmission county along with most of North Georgia.

Superintendent April Childers released the following statement:

“The Rabun County community has experienced an unprecedented increase in COVID-19 positive cases over the past week, and the school district has felt the effects of this increase with both staff and students in quarantine.

The number of students/employees quarantined from direct contact, symptoms, or positive tests has greatly affected the daily operations of our schools and transportation. Having enough teachers, paraprofessionals, school nutrition workers, bus drivers, and custodians to cover all operations to provide effective face-to-face instruction has become a significant challenge. The number of substitutes for teachers, bus drivers, custodians, and school nutrition workers is very limited in our community. As a result, our school district is finding it very difficult to operate successfully without enough personnel to cover essential positions to maintain an environment that is safe and conducive for learning.

After careful consideration, the decision has been made for students to report to school on Tuesday, December 15th for a normal school day, then our district will begin distance learning on Wednesday, December 16th. All instruction will be virtual/distance-based beginning Wednesday, December 16th through Friday, December 18th. School will return to normal face-to-face operations on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.

Please know that I do understand the impact school closing for face-to-face instruction has on our community. We have been successful in providing face-to-face instruction since the start of school, and we plan to return on January 5, 2021, and continue the year with face-to-face instruction. This decision was carefully considered and made in consultation with principals, district leaders, and the Department of Public Health.

All teachers and staff will report to work daily to provide instruction virtually and provide assistance to students and parents. Our individual schools and teachers will be providing additional information for their students and parents concerning school work on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Meals for students can be picked up at the primary school bus loading zone:
• Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm- each student will receive 1 hot lunch and 1 breakfast.
• Thursday, 12:30-1:30 pm- each student will receive 1 hot lunch, 1 lunch, and 2 breakfast
• Friday- meal pickup for those that pre-ordered for the next week. You will receive an email from Mrs. Schupp about pickup times. Extracurricular activities will continue with the mitigation strategies in place. Coaches and
sponsors will contact you with any changes.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
Go Cats!
Dr. April Childers
Superintendent”