Friday, October 4, 8 p.m. Update - Schools to reopen on Monday, October 7
Bulloch County Schools will reopen its school on Monday, October 7, and resume a normal school and after school schedule for learning and extracurricular activities.
“Power has been restored to all of our schools, and we are ready to safely welcome students back,” said Charles Wilson, superintendent of schools. “We understand that families have been affected by the storm in many ways.. If your child is unable to attend school, please submit an absence excuse online when your child returns.
The school district knows a return to a normal routine may be an adjustment, but faculty emphasize that schools offer a cool environment, nutritious meals, the comfort of a learning schedule, and the joy of reconnecting with classmates and staff.
Bus drivers have driven the district’s more than 100 bus routes to ensure we can safely pick up students. Some alternate routes will be necessary, and those will be communicated to affected families this weekend.
The district’ School Nutrition Services Department facilitated each of the 15 schools’ kitchens and food inventories being re-inspected on Thursday and Friday by the Department of Public Health, and all have been cleared to safely serve meals. Families can expect some menu changes and limited milk options due to the loss of some food during the storm.
For students who attend Cedarwood, the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support center that serves Bulloch, Jenkins, and Evans Counties, its power has not yet been restored. As a result, classes will not resume for these students until power is restored.
If your family needs any help to connect with community resources, please reach out to your school to coordinate with Bulloch County Schools’ Student Support and Wellness staff. Faculty are here to listen and assist however they can.
“We welcome back our students and employees,” Wilson added. “We are proud of their strength and resilience, and appreciate the ways in which we have seen some of them serve our district and community during this time.”
Monday, September 30, 1 p.m. Update
After careful consideration, schools will remain closed through Friday, October 4. All extracurricular and athletic activities are canceled for the remainder of the week as well.
Please stay alert for an update on Sunday, October 6, at 3 p.m., regarding our plans to reopen on Monday, October 7. We will not make a decision about making up missed days until after we return to school.
We understand that extended school closures are difficult, but safety is our top priority. Some schools are without power and water, local roadways remain hazardous, and by remaining closed, we can help reduce the strain on local food, gas, and infrastructure resources.
Our essential staff is hard at work repairing minor damage to schools, clearing debris, and repairing multiple technology tools. We will continue to protect our food inventories to ensure we can provide meals when we return.
Thank you for your resilience. Stay safe and find ways to help others as you are able.
Sunday, September 29, 3 p.m. Update
Bulloch County Schools’ offices and schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, September 30 and October 1.
All extracurricular and athletic activities are also canceled for these days. The school district will reassess conditions and make a decision about the remainder of the week by 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
This decision is due to the majority of the district’s 15 schools being without power, some are without water, and the many hazards that still exist on roadways, including ones that have made the district’s main bus garage inaccessible. Each of the schools has been damaged by the storm, but most of it minor.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone as we move forward in recovery together,” said Superintendent of Schools Charles Wilson. “ Our goal is to ensure that schools are safe and ready to welcome children when we return.”
The school district’s maintenance and school nutrition services teams have been working tirelessly since September 27, the day after the storm, to assess the damage, remove debris from campuses, monitor generators to help maintain food inventories, and relocate food when necessary.
This is the second major storm to affect the school district since the beginning of the school year. Tropical Storm Debby caused historic flooding to Bulloch County the first weekend in August, which closed schools for five days (Aug. 5 to 9). The school district remained under an alternate transportation plan for bus transportation due to 12 roads still being inaccessible to buses.
With guidance from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Hurricane Helene forced the school district to announce that schools would be released two hours early on Thursday, September 26, and be closed all day on Friday, September 27. Hurricane Helene proved to be more of a wind event for Bulloch County resulting in a significant number of downed power lines and trees and widespread extended power outages.
We encourage all citizens to look for ways to serve as you are able.
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