TENNESSEE, USA — Many of you have questions about getting your students back to school and what precautions will be taken to keep them healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. As districts make plans for the upcoming school year, we will be reaching out to them for answers to keep you informed.
This article will be updated as we learn more from these districts and receive updates on their reopening plans.
Alcoa City Schools
- Start date: July 22
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option (must register by July 10)
- Schedule: School calendar; staggered schedule for the first month (July 22 - Sept. 4)
- COVID-19 precautions: limiting the number of students in building through the staggered schedule; temperature checks for everyone entering the building; students who are sick will be instructed to wear a mask and sent home; students cannot return until they are fever-free for 72 hours; face coverings for staff will now be required in common areas, large gatherings, class changes, anytime outside their classrooms, and in the classroom when social distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained; face coverings for students will be expected in grades 6-12 and highly encouraged in grades PreK-5
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Anderson County Schools
- Start date: August 10, staggered start for first 3 days
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; online options available (deadline to register is July 28)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: plans to check the temperature of every student and staff member every day; masks required on buses for all grades and will be provided; masks are required in hallways/common areas and where social distancing is not possible for grades 3-12; staff required to wear masks in large group gatherings, hallways/common areas, and in classrooms where social distancing is not practical; schools will have designated entry/exit points for staff and student car/bus riders; sanitation stations at all entry points; water fountains will not be used; water filling stations will be available in hallway for students to fill personal water bottles; intensive cleaning daily throughout all buildings
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Athens City Schools
- Start date: August 10 on a 2-week staggered start
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option available (registration starts July 6)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: 4 phases of reopening to adjust with local situation; temperature checks for every student and adult entering the building; social distancing practices; deep cleaning; sanitizing stations; masks are optional but not required
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Blount County Schools
- Start date: July 29
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; option for students to take lessons virtually
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Face coverings are expected for staff and students where social distancing is difficult to maintain; assigned seats on buses; sanitizing stations; intensive cleaning in all buildings; parents asked to do temperature checks on students before going to school
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Campbell County Schools
- Start date: August 7 (staggered schedule to start); registration day is Aug. 5
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual option only during extended closures for students that meet qualifying criteria
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: enhanced cleaning and sanitization processes; temperature checks for all students and staff; handwashing breaks; hand sanitizer in classrooms; sick students and staff must stay home; isolation rooms for students and staff exhibiting symptoms; no field trips or assemblies for school year; outside groups cannot use school facilities; masks preferred but not required; students use individual supplies; sanitize buses; only family members can share bus seats; visitors allowed by appointment only
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Catholic High School, Knoxville
- Start date: August 3
- Classroom setup: The plan includes an option for families to elect on-line, at-home learning with the flexibility to change to traditional classroom learning for their children at any time during the fall semester. They will outdoor classrooms when possible.
- COVID-10 precautions: Facial coverings required for students and faculty; no field trips; Extracurricular activities limited to students who attend classes on campus
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Christian Academy of Knoxville
- Start date: August 11
- Classroom setup: in-person classes with added precautions
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: daily temperature screenings, increased cleaning measures, hand sanitizers inside classrooms, reminders to wash hands, small classes and social distancing protocols
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Claiborne County Schools
- Start date: August 10
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option available
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: daily temperature checks for students and staff; disposable, individually wrapped trays and utensils in cafeteria; intensive cleaning; handwashing breaks; masks recommended but not required; limited sharing of classroom resources; desks facing the same direction when possible; limited visitors; all visitors will have temperature check and health screening; visitors must wear masks in building; parents asked to fill out Release of Liability waiver for students returning to extracurricular activities
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Clinton City Schools
- Start date: Staggered start throughout August 7, 10-12, grade-specific
- Classroom setup: testing staggered start, comprehensive plan here
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: health checks, specialized dismissal procedures, more
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Cocke County Schools
- Start date: Delayed to August 17 (was originally Aug. 3)
- Classroom setup: in-person classes with a staggered start time (see plan for details); virtual learning option (must register by July 26; must fill out and return Remote Learning contract to your child's school by July 31)
- Schedule: School calendar; Aug. 19: First day of class for freshmen in-person learning students, Aug. 20: First day of class for sophomore in-person learning students, Aug. 21: First day of class for juniors and seniors learning in-person.
- Buses will run 5 days a week.
- COVID-19 precautions: social distancing practices; assigned seats on school buses; masks recommended and will be provided on buses; increased cleaning and sanitizing practices; masks will be provided by school for students and staff; water fountains will not be used; temperatures must be checked at home; sick students must stay home or will be sent home; limited visitation
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Cumberland County Schools
- Start date: August 5 (August 12 is the first full day)
- Classroom setup: Traditional instructional framework, with a virtual learning option. Applications for the second window of virtual school applications will be available Tuesday August 4 through August 7 at 10 a.m. at Central Office.
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: The district will operate on a tiered COVID-19 spread system, with different guidelines for different rates of spread in the county. Parents should always take children's temperatures before going to school, and their temperatures will be taken at school. Masks are REQUIRED at all tiers. Students from the same household/bus stop will also sit together when feasible. Visitation will be limited.
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Emerald Academy
- Start date: August 10
- Classroom setup: in-person or distance learning options available
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Partnership with Cherokee Health Systems for a health clinic, in order to expand on traditional school nurse.
Episcopal School of Knoxville
- Start date: August 17
- Classroom setup: will depend on four-phase program; in-person classes; virtual option available
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: all students and staff will have temperature checks before class begins and after lunch; anyone with a fever of 100 or more will be isolated and sent home; anyone entering the building must file out a health screening form; face coverings required when social distancing is not possible and between classes; enhanced cleaning and sanitizing practices; hand washing breaks; visitor access restricted
Etowah City Schools
- Start date: August 10
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; registration now open for virtual learning option through July 31; different plans depending on 4-stage plan based on public health recommendations
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: specific actions will depend on 4-stage plan
- To read the district's plan, CLICK HERE
Fentress County Schools
- Start date: August 10 and 11 staggered start; August 12 first full day
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option for 3-12 grade (must apply by July 17)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: specific actions are pending board approval
Grainger County Schools
- Start date: August 17, with staggered opening
- Classroom setup: in-school, virtual and hybrid options.
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Increased cleaning and disinfection of all buildings and buses, social distancing where feasible, temperature checks, health monitoring, not allowing people with fevers at school, reduced class interactions, less group gatherings, less movement throughout buildings, reduced visitor volumes and masks recommended or required for staff and students as feasible to be adjusted as indicated by health updates. Officials posted a disclaimer about COVID-19 precautions. The full COVID-19 reopening plan can be found online.
Greene County Schools
- Start date: August 17
- Classroom setup: Starting out with virtual classes, registration open for new students to enroll in district
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: will depend on the district's three-tiered color-coded system; face masks are required through August 14 in accordance with Gov. Bill Lee's executive order
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Greeneville City Schools
- Start date: August 5; first full day on Aug. 7; will remain fully online through Aug. 21 before possibly changing to another mode on Mon., Aug. 24
- Classroom setup: based on color-coded system; in-person classes; virtual learning option available should public health situation move into yellow or red phases
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: masks encouraged for elementary-aged students; masks required for grades 6-12; staff are required to wear masks or face coverings; teachers encouraged to use outdoor spaces when possible; limited movement between classes; teachers will rotate rooms instead of students; social distancing practices; sick students must stay home; parents asked to check temperatures daily
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Green Magnet Academy
- Start date: August 17
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: masks required for students and staff when social distancing cannot be maintained; daily temperature checks before entering the building; restricted visitation; masks required on buses; family members will sit together on the bus; enhanced sanitization and cleaning practices
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Hamblen County Schools
- Start date: September 8
- Classroom setup: in-person classes, online options as long as you are pre-registered; preparing internet accessibility options if schools need to close again
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: daily deep cleanings; social distancing; educating students on coronavirus
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
RELATED: "We are reinventing school" | Hamblen County preparing for in-person and virtual instruction
Hancock County Schools
- Start date: August 17 (originally August 3, then delayed to August 10th)
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; online options available (Deadline to change from Virtual to In-person is Wednesday, August 5)
- All students will attend virtually from August 17-28
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Sanitizing stations; buses will be sanitized daily; teachers will have thermometers for daily temperature checks; reduced class sizes; minimizing large group activities; limited visitor access; Plexiglas in office
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Hawkins County Schools
- Start date: August 17 (pending board approval)
- Classroom setup: will depend on 3-phase operating plan (green, yellow red) based on public health situation; in-person classes planned; virtual learning option available (parents must fill out online survey by August 1 for this option)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: will depend on 3-phase operating stages; schools will close if the operating plan moves to red; improved cleaning and sanitization processes; social distancing practices among students and staff
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Jefferson County Schools
- Start date: August 7
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual/distance learning option available
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: temperature check all students every day; adults/employees are expected to self-check; face masks are optional for students and teachers, food service/cafeteria workers must wear them; no visitors at the start of the year; buses will be sanitized after morning and evening routes
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
RELATED: Back to School: Jefferson County preparing for fall with temperature checks, virtual option
Knox County Schools
- Start date: August 24 (Originally August 17)
- Classroom setup: in-person classes with a color-coded strategy to determine how each school day will go; virtual option available
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: improved cleaning and sanitizing protocols; social distancing encouraged in classrooms and cafeterias; masks will be required on yellow days; bus drivers will have their temperature checked daily; masks required on buses; visitors will be restricted and required to wear masks; students will wear masks in cafeteria lines and remove them to eat; specific precautions will be determined based on color-coded strategy
- To read the plan, CLICK HERE
Lenoir City Schools
- Start date: August 7, 10-11 (staggered start); August 12 first full day
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option available (must inform principal by July 20); students will be learning at home from Aug. 24 to Aug. 26
- Beginning Aug 27, students in grades 7-12 will move to a hybrid schedule. Students with last names A-L will meet in school Monday and Thursday. Students with last names M-Z will meet Tuesday and Friday. Wednesday will be a virtual day for all students.
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: specific guidelines in place for each school district; frequent handwashing; improved sanitization processes; temperature checks for every student and adult entering the building; students with fevers over 100.4 will be isolated, required to wear a mask and sent home; masks are encouraged but not required for students; masks are required on buses; limited visitor access to school buildings
- Officials also announced a phased reopening. Students whose last name begins with the letters A-G will attend on Friday, Aug. 7. Then, students with last names between H-N will attend on Monday, Aug. 10. Finally, students whose last names begin with letters O-Z will attend Tuesday, Aug. 11. They said everyone will be in school beginning Wednesday, Aug. 12.
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Loudon County Schools
- Start date: Staggered opening
- August 7: Students last names A-G, return on Aug. 12
- August 10: Students with last names H-N, return on Aug. 12
- August 11: Students with last names O-z, return on Aug. 12
- Classroom setup: in-person and virtual learning
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Masks and face shield optional but also available if students want them, adding air purification units to classrooms, temperature checks for everyone coming into buildings. The first two weeks of instruction will also be focused on teaching students about how remote learning would work in case the district has to move entirely online.
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Maryville City Schools
- Start date: Changed as of 7/20. Students with last name beginning with A-K will return to school on July 30 and will be off the 31. Students with last name beginning with L-Z will start on July 31. Digital learners will start on the day assigned by the teacher in each class.
- Grades 8 - 12 will learn on campus 5 days a week, for those who choose traditional learning
- Students can switch instructional options by Aug. 27 and start in the other option Monday, Aug. 31. This will be an option every month, but officials ask parents to only switch once per year.
- Classroom setup: digital learning will begin July 30
- Schedule: School calendar
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
- COVID-19 Precautions: Grades K - 7 will do weekly temperature checks, other grades will continue with regular temperature checks, and social distancing guidelines are in place.
McMinn County Schools
- Start date: August 10-11
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning options available
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: will depend on 4-phase reopening stages, see reopening plan
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Monroe County Schools
- Start date: August 7 early dismissal; August 10 first full day
- Classroom setup: will be based on a color-coded scale based on COVID-19 infections in the school. Full plan can be found here.
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Officials have developed a scale that determines precautions, including classroom setup, screening of students, movement around the school, cafeteria usage and more.
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Morgan County Schools
- Start date: August 5
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option available (must let district know of your decision by July 17)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: intensive cleaning; handwashing breaks; sanitizing stations; face coverings are optional but encouraged; parents asked to temperature check students before sending them to school; temperature checks for all people entering the building; doors open at 7:45 a.m. to students; LPNs available to each building; one student per seat on buses (family members will be seated together); daily bus cleanings; masks required on buses and will be available for those who do not have one
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Oak Ridge City Schools
- Start date: July 29 for elementary school and high school, July 30 for preschool and middle school
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; fully online option available(must apply for this option)
- Preschool and Elementary School: Students will go to in-person classes 5 days per week since the age group is least affected by the virus, officials said
- Middle School: Staggered plan, half of the students will meet Monday and Thursday and the other half will meet Tuesday and Friday. Virtual learning will be conducted for the remaining 3 days.
- High School: Staggered plan, half will meet on Monday and Thursday, the other half will meet Tuesday and Friday with virtual learning for the remaining 3 days. Staff will be available for in-person support as needed on Wednesdays.
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: parents check children’s temperature on a daily basis before school; students with a temperature of 100.4 or higher should remain at home; deep cleaning and sanitizing practices; social distancing; face masks are required for students and staff when physical distancing is not possible; creating temperature check stations and isolation rooms in all buildings; students with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be isolated and sent home; only essential, pre-approved visitors allowed in buildings
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Oneida Special School District
- Start date: August 6 for in-person classes; August 17 for virtual program
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; Virtual Education Program available (parents must notify their child's school by the week of July 20-24)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: full plan will be released once it is approved by state Health Department and Department of Education
Roane County Schools
- Start date: delayed to August 19 (was originally Aug. 5)
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; online option available (must fill out the Roane County Schools (TN) Reopening Plan Choice Form for Parents/Guardians)
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: social distancing; regular cleaning and disinfecting in common areas; reducing non-essential visitors to the schools; taking temperatures as needed; wearing masks as appropriate is an option; all students utilizing RCS transportation are asked to wear masks while riding on the bus
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Scott County Schools
- Start date: August 10
- Classroom setup: Virtual learning an option for students who have at-risk medical conditions or special circumstances. Parents will have to declare option by July 31. Attempts will be made to ensure social distancing in classrooms.
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: Temperature checks. Masks required on buses and recommended in other areas.
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Sevier County Schools
- Start date: Students with last names beginning with the letters A-L will attend on August 17. Students with last names beginning with the letters M-Z will attend on August 18.
- Classroom setup: in-person classes planned; 4-phase reopening strategy in place
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: will depend on 4-phase reopening policies, policies can be found HERE
- To read the full plan, CLICK HERE
Sweetwater City Schools
- Start date: August 7
- Classroom setup: in-person classes; virtual learning option
- Schedule: School calendar
- COVID-19 precautions: designated entry points; temperature checks upon arrival for staff and students; masks needed when social distancing is not possible; frequent hand washing and sanitizing; limited visitation
Union County Schools
- Start date: August 4; Distance learning students will start officially on August 11
- Classroom setup: in-person and distance-learning options — full reopening plan is online
- Schedule: School calendar; a staggered schedule will be in place
- COVID-19 precautions: Hand sanitizer stations throughout schools and buses, documented temperature checks for staff and students, masks required on buses and in areas where social distancing not possible, masks will be provided by the school if not available for student, limit visitors to the main office, additional cleaning in schools as well as buses and a nurse in every school