Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates in CMCSS

March 14, 2020

The CMCSS Communicable Disease Team (CDT) comprised of leaders from CMCSS and the Montgomery County Health Department meet regularly to review the latest guidance from the CDC and make recommendations for the health and safety of students, employees and the community.

Reopening

Resources and information regarding the reopening of the CMCSS schools can be found at cmcss.net/reopening. 

FAQs:

ACT – In Fall 2020, CMCSS will provide opportunities for students to participate in the ACT. The dates are either September 22 or October 6, and a make-up date of October 20 with scores arriving 3-7 weeks later. This will not interfere with Fall break, which is October 12-16, 2020. ACT National administration dates are still in transition for those who would like to participate in those administrations. Please check their website act.org for further information. If you have a senior in need of an ACT retake before the fall, please contact us at [email protected]

Athletics – Beginning July 6 for high school and July 13 for middle school, CMCSS will begin permitting limited in-person athletic practices and conditioning on campuses with modifications and protocols for the health and safety of students, employees, and the community.

The plan was developed by the District Programs and Activities Coordinator in collaboration with local and regional athletic directors and coaches with input from the district’s Communicable Disease Team. Guidance from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) as well as from the Tennessee Pledge Access Guidelines for Noncontact Sports and the CDC were taken into consideration.

Some of the modifications and protocols in the plan include:

  • required parent/guardian consent for students to participate (Parent and Student Return to Campus Waiver and Consent)
  • daily temperature checks and COVID-19 symptom evaluations for students and employees
  • social distancing guidelines
  • limiting groups to no more than 10 people at a time (including both coaches and athletes)
  • members of workout groups will remain the same each day to aid in contact tracing
  • staggered work out times
  • students and employees must bring their own water bottles
  • increased equipment and facility sanitization and personal hygiene expectations
  • no spectators

Athletic directors and coaches at each school will be responsible for adhering to the plan. Workouts will be on a voluntary basis. No athlete or coach will feel pressure to participate in or experience any repercussions for not attending any on-site, face-to-face workouts. Accommodations, including virtual options, will be provided for families who do not feel comfortable with students returning to in-person practices at this time.

Kindergarten – Kindergarten Kickoffs originally scheduled for April 21 are postponed. After schools and district offices resume normal business hours, we will begin accepting full kindergarten registrations at the schools when they are open and throughout the summer at the CMCSS Enrollment Center. According to the State Department of Education, children entering kindergarten shall be five (5) years of age on or before August 15 of the current school year. Tennessee State Law also requires that a student going into the first grade must show proof of attendance in an accredited kindergarten program.

Pre-K – Click here for more information about Pre-K applications for the 2020-2021 school year.

Registration – You may begin the enrollment process at enroll.cmcss.net. When schools are back in session, someone from CMCSS will contact the primary guardian listed during pre-registration to provide instructions for completing the enrollment process.

Food for Children:

Click here for the latest updates.

Learning Resources:

Click here for more information.

Children thrive within structured environments and it will be important to provide opportunities during the day for your children to be creative, read and discuss what they are reading, and participate in physical activity. It is a good idea to create a daily structure in the mornings and afternoons for your children to do these things.

Social and Emotional Resources:

During this time of fear and uncertainty, students will look to adults for information and comfort. It is important to provide evidence-based information to reduce fears and to seek mental health services or other support when needed. The following resources can help:

General COVID-19 Information:

COVID-19 information is continuing to evolve as the experts learn more about this disease. We know there is a lot of fear and anxiety around this pandemic, and we assure you the CDT is continuously monitoring this situation. While education is important, the health and well-being of our students and staff are far more significant.

For up-to-date information from the CDC on COVID-19, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html