ROCK HILL, S.C. — South Carolina teachers and students are getting their first idea of what classrooms will look like this fall as things get closer to what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
All districts in South Carolina have until June 24 to submit an outline on how they plan to safely bring teachers and students back into the classroom. And while some things will look the same as this past year, administrators say they're trying to get back to normal as quickly — and safely — as possible.
Districts in both Fort Mill and Rock Hill have already released their plans and they have some similarities. For instance, both districts plan to continue full-time, in-person learning. Under state law, face masks will remain optional on school grounds. Face coverings are still required on school buses under federal law.
Social distancing guidelines will remain in place as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone stay six feet apart when possible. Contact tracing will still be required for any positive COVID-19 cases, as well as quarantine and isolation protocols.
Rock Hill leaders say they'll continue to offer COVID-19 vaccine clinics to students and teachers, while Fort Mill's proposed plan involves taking down desk shields for all grade levels.
These proposals will not become official until the districts submit their finalized plans to the state board of education on June 24.
Contact Billie Jean Shaw at bshaw@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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