Coronavirus: Birmingham City Schools Return To Virtual Learning

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases among students and staff within the Birmingham City Schools system, the system announced Monday it will return to virtual learning Dec. 7, just a few weeks after returning students to campuses full time.

"The current COVID-19 global pandemic is drastically impacting our community and our schools," Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan said. "While we realize many students have enjoyed in-person learning, we feel that our remote model is the best option at this time."

Birmingham City Schools started the 2020-21 year online, and just recently returned its students to campuses, but positive tests among students and teachers in just the last two weeks have mirrored the spike in COVID-19 cases throughout Jefferson County.

"Our students and faculty are not immune from these spikes, Sullivan said. "We are seeing an uptick in the number of positive cases throughout the district among our students, faculty and staff. Under the remote plan, students still will have full access to high quality instruction, and we will continue serving hot meals every school day. Scholars will work in virtual classrooms with their teachers Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays, students will work independently or participate in projects at the direction of their teachers. Also, teachers will be available for office hours on Wednesdays."

Sullivan said the school district will reassess the impact of the pandemic and decide on the next steps after the winter holiday break.

The school system has had 62 students quarantined since the students returned to school.