Cherokee County

Parents split on sending kids back to in-person classes after 2 Cherokee school close over COVID-19

By Matt Johnson, WSB-TV
By Matt Johnson, WSB-TV

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — Two Cherokee County schools announced they are shutting down temporarily to fight the coronavirus after there has been a surge in cases, causing students and staff to be quarantined.        

There is still a lot of optimism among parents throughout the district that in-person learning can continue this year despite these two schools closing their doors because of the virus.

The district stated parents should prepare for more closures as schools navigate this uncharted territory.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Coronavirus and Schools -- extensive coverage as the metro goes Back 2 School]

Carlo Wheaton is the parent of a junior at Woodstock High School. He's hopeful his son can still return to school despite a spike in COVID-19 cases on campus.

“The only disappointment I have is for him in the sense it had to stop right now,” Wheaton said. “I definitely still say give this a shot. I think there is a way to do this in person.”

The school district reported there are 14 positive cases of COVID-19 at Woodstock High School, with 15 results pending. Some 289 students and staff are under quarantine. The district also reported 14 cases at Etowah High School on Tuesday.

Both schools will be closed until at least the end of August.

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“That means they’re not just pushing the envelope. They definitely had a number or idea where if we get to this number, we need to rethink and reevaluate,” Wheaton said.  

Both schools will be deep-cleaned as the district continues in-person learning at the other 38 schools and centers.

In a letter on its website, the district announced, "There will be additional quarantines and school closures."

It also asks students to "stay home when you're sick" and "get tested if you're symptomatic."

Reca Porter has a fourth grader in the district. She said the high school closures reinforce why she's keeping her daughter in digital learning.

“It’s just a little too scary right now,” Porter said. “They’re not mandating masks, which I think is a huge thing that can stop the spread of the virus.”

Jen Formby's 10th grader is among the more than 30,000 students enrolled in face-to-face learning in the district.

“He’s a completely different kid than we had this summer. He’s back with his friends. He’s happy; he’s bubbly,” Formby said.

More than 1,200 students and staff are quarantined because of exposure to the virus.

Formby said her three children will remain learning in person as long as the district gives them a choice.

“They stood by their decision and gave us the right to choose, and I truly thank them and support them for that,” Formby said.

Channel 2′s Matt Johnson spoke with one parent, who asked not to be identified, who said she regrets sending her son back to school for in-person learning after the closures. But she said she got an email stating one of his classes isn’t available online anymore.

“I would rather do the online learning, but we don’t have that choice,” the parent said.

For some Woodstock parents, they know the country is watching what's happening in their district.

Wheaton said most parents are supportive of the staff and leadership.

“It’s not like we’re putting everyone in harm’s way to that degree. They’re doing everything they can that they know of right now to be safe,” Wheaton said.

Throughout his reporting, Johnson learned that several parents support a split schedule where one block of students is at school for a set number of days, and another block of students is there for another set of days, limiting the number of people at school at any one time.

The district hasn’t yet commented on any additional safety steps it would take by Aug. 31.

North Paulding High School to remain closed for 3rd day after positive COVID-19 cases

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