Pearl River County School District’s Board of Trustees came together for its normal monthly meeting Thursday evening to discuss the district’s reopening plan and what the upcoming school year will look like.

The plan is subject to change if an executive order is issued, or if new information is received from the CDC and health department.

There will be two learning options for students to choose from this year, a virtual distance learning option and a traditional school option with social distancing.

Students who choose the virtual distance learning option must commit to the option for the first semester, completion of assignments will be required and graded, grading and promotion/retention policies still apply, students will be administered state tests required by the Mississippi Department of Education and those students will be able to pick up student meals between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. each day at the Carriere cafeteria parking lot.

The second option for students is the traditional school option with social distancing, but even for students who choose that path the first two days of school, August 6 and 7, classes will be taught from home.

August 6 will have assignments on social distancing and the importance of social distancing during a pandemic.

August 7 will have assignments on personal hygiene and the importance of exercising personal hygiene to reduce the risk of becoming ill.

Students will be expected to turn in all assignments on their first day of in-person school August 10.

Students reporting to campuses on August 10 will be expected to report at these times: PRC Elementary School 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., PRC Middle School 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., PRC High School 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the PRC Endeavor School from 8:30 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.

School buses will be available, but it’s recommended parents or guardians personally transport students to school.

There will be a staggered drop off and pick up schedule for the PRC Elementary School and information about those schedules will be provided by administration at a later date.

There will be two fleets of buses running.

The secondary bus fleet will run from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The elementary bus fleet will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All buses will be cleaned and disinfected after the completion of each morning route and each afternoon route, and students will be screened for fever or visible COVID symptoms when boarding the bus during the morning routes.

Any student with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, or who displays visible symptoms will be instructed to return home.

There will be a campus entry screening protocol where students and staff members will be screened before entering the school building as well.

Symptom and temperature requirements apply, and district employees, along with students, are encouraged to test themselves at home before leaving for the day.

Breakfast and lunch meals will be eaten in the classroom, and student assemblies, field trips and school dances are suspended until further notice.

Visitors will be required to wear a face covering once they enter any lobby area of a building in the district.

District employees will not have to wear a face covering when 6 feet of distance can be achieved, but if that can’t be achieved a physical barrier or face covering will be required.

Students will be encouraged, but not required, to wear a face covering while at school.

The plan states that any student or staff member who is sent home for fever or COVID symptoms must be free of fever and symptoms for 24 hours before returning to school.

Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 must notify the superintendent’s office within 24 hours of receiving results.

The individual will have to quarantine for 14 days and need a physician’s recommendation to return.

Students will be expected to participate in the digital learning if possible while at home.

The board unanimously approved the plan as the district looks ahead to the upcoming school year.

Following the approval of the school reopening plan the Board adjourned.