Fulton Schools Approves Additional Digital Learning Days For 2020

FULTON COUNTY, GA — Two more Digital Learning Days have been added to the Fulton County Schools 2020 calendar.

At its work session Oct. 10, the Fulton County School Board approved making April 21, 2020 and May 19, 2020 Digital Learning Days for students while maintaining them as regular work days for employees. A Digital Learning Day is an opportunity for students to engage in off-site learning instead of attending school.

Since April 21 and May 19 are state-wide election days, there is high-volume participation of the public at polling stations located in our schools, and this increases the potential for security concerns, the district said. By utilizing digital learning activities, students will be able to maintain their focus on instruction even though they are not on campus. This also allows staff the opportunity to participate in high-quality professional development to deepen their knowledge and skills, Fulton Schools said.

Recent calendar adjustments include:

• March 13, 2020 remains a teacher workday
• March 24, 2020 (Georgia presidential primary election) will be a teacher workday
• April 21, 2020 (state-wide election) will be a student Digital Learning Day and a teacher professional development day
• May 19, 2020 (state-wide election) will be a student Digital Learning Day and a teacher professional development day

Chief Academic Officer Clifford Jones gave a presentation to the school board.

"The high-volume participation of our public during state-wide elections held at polling stations located in our schools carries the potential for increased security concerns and disruption to instruction on those days," Jones said. "This has created a need for a strategic move on behalf of the Fulton County School district.

"Therefore, staff recommends the Board of Education make all state-wide election days digital learning days for this school year and moving forward. These days would be regular workdays for employees; however, by utilizing digital learning students will be able to maintain their focus on instruction while not on campus. This also allows staff time to participate in high quality professional development to deepen their knowledge and skills."