New semester update from Hardin County Schools

Director of Schools Michael Davis provides this update and reminders regarding school information for the upcoming semester, along with wishing everyone well and hoping that a “wonderful Christmas” was had by all:
•Students who will be attending school, all grades PK-12, will return on Wednesday, Jan. 6. This will be a regular school day from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Buses will run that day, but keep in mind pick-up and drop-off times may vary the first day or two, because many more students are returning to school for the second semester.
The current plan is that students will return to attending all five days each week for the second semester.
Hardin County Schools will continue to work with state and local health officials throughout the semester and if a change to the schedule becomes necessary, that change will be communicated as soon as possible.
•For the students who have been approved to do the Distance Learning option for the second semester, you will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 6 as well.
•The Hardin County school board continues to strongly encourage all students and staff to wear masks while in the building and always use the safety products provided throughout each of the school buildings.
Parents are advised that each school has a large quantity of masks if you do not have one for your child, and HCS asks that you remind your child to get a mask each day upon entering the building if they don’t already have one.
•School systems will continue to follow the CDC guidelines regarding contact tracing and quarantining for any positive COVID cases. Each school and school bus will continue to use seating charts to help with this process.
With such a large number of students returning to attend school for the second semester, schools will not be able to social distance their students at all times.
•The new laptops-devices that were ordered for students on July 1 have still not arrived.
The last update HCS received, about a week ago, is that they may now be here sometime in the middle of February.
Depending on when the devices actually do arrive, HCS will determine if there will be enough time left in the semester to distribute them this school year, or wait until the start of next school year to assign one to each student.
Two schools, however, are now set up to provide internet access in their parking lots. Hardin County High School (north parking lot-band room side) and West Hardin (front parking lot) both now have Wi-Fi available for any students in the school system to use.
Once within the Wi-Fi range in these two areas, your device should show “guest” for internet access and users will be required to complete an online agreement to use.