Dear Superintendents and Principals:
The Mississippi Department of Education has partnered with a workgroup of nine superintendents from a diverse range of school districts to outline the key issues districts need to address to reopen schools.
The attached document, Considerations for Reopening Mississippi Schools, outlines a three-month timeline of strategies for superintendents and principals to consider to plan for the start of the 2020-21 school year. The document is intended to be used as a resource and starting point as you consider local needs in collaboration with your stakeholders. This document will be updated in three-month intervals to help you plan and adjust to the changing nature of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Members of the Superintendents’ Workgroup and MDE will lead virtual meetings for superintendents and principals on June 16 and June 25 to discuss the specifics and logistics related to the key issues outlined in this document. The June 16 meeting will focus on Academic Planning, Operations, and Family and Community Support. The June 25 meeting will focus on Communications, Health and Safety, and Technology/Learning Management Systems.
The MDE will continue to provide guidance and support to districts during this summer planning phase and once schools reopen. The MDE understands that superintendents, principals, educators, staff and families have been working hard to support students during this challenging time. We look forward to our continued work together to open schools safely and to provide every student with the high-quality education they deserve.
Carey M. Wright, Ed.D.
State Superintendent of Education
Considerations for Reopening Mississippi Schools