JCPS will be closed amid coronavirus concerns until April 6 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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DISTRICT WAS THE LAST OPTION THEY WANTED TO CHOOSE FROM. >> WE HAVE WANTED TO KEEP SCHOOL OPEN FOR AS LONG AS WE COULD TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR KIDS. SHAQUILLE: IN AN UNPRECEDENTED DECISION, JCPS WILL CLOSE SCHOOL OF THE NEXT THREE WEEKS IN LIGHT OF COVID-19. >> THIS IS NOT AN EASY DECISION. SHAQUILLE: RIGHT NOW, OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED CASES OF STUDENTS TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS. ON FRIDAY, STUDENTS WILL ATTEND CLASS TO GET THEIR LESSON PLANS. THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE DISTRICT IS NOT MANDATING ONLINE LESSON PLANS. >> WE DO NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT NOW TO PROVIDE A LAPTOP OR CHROME BOOK TO EVERY STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT. AND ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAVE A LACK OF WI-FI FOR MANY OF OUR STUDENTS AT HOME. SHAQUILLE: WITH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES BEING SUSPENDED, THE CONCERN OF MANY WORKING PARENTS RIGHT NOW IS CHILDCARE. >> A GREAT NUMBER OF OUR CHILDCARE FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE CLOSED DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME SO WE KNOW THAT IS A BIG CHALLENGE AS WELL. SHAQUILLE: HE SAYS THE DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH FREE LUNCHES FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. 35 SCHOOLS AND EIGHT MOBILE SITES WILL GIVE STUDENTS LUNCH FROM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 1:00 P.M. >> WE WILL HAVE A DRIVE-THROUGH PLAN. THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LUNCH FOR EACH CHILD WITH THEM. SHAQUILLE: IT TOOK OFFICIALS MORE THAN A WEEK TO IRON OUT THE PLANS BUT THE HOPE IS THAT THERE WILL NOT BE A NEED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL PLANS PAST APRIL. THE DISTRICT IS EXPECTING TO RESUME CLASSES ON APRIL 6 IN THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL AS OF RIGHT NOW IS JUNE 10TH. THAT COULD ALL CHANGE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS AS HEALTH OFFICIALS MANAGE THIS PANDEMI

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