Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Darlington to close campus for two weeks following governor’s recommendation
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Darlington to close campus for two weeks following governor’s recommendation

March 13, 2020 | 1149 views

Since yesterday’s communication to the Darlington Community, the Governor of Georgia has recommended that all schools in our state close for a two-week period of time beginning Monday, March 16. Darlington School is choosing to follow the Governor’s recommendation and, as a result, will transition to distance learning on Monday, March 23. 

“While there are confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Floyd County, we are not aware of any cases in our school community at this time,” said Head of School Brent Bell. “However, as a day and boarding school with students ranging in age from 4-18 on one campus, we are a unique community that must weigh many factors in our decision-making process. While we would certainly prefer to be in school and fully operational, we feel that this action is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our students. We need to be certain that our students will return to a setting optimal for learning.”

Pre-K to 8

To keep students engaged, learning, and in community with each other during this time, Darlington’s Pre-K to 8  teachers and administration will be working together over the coming week to create and prepare plans for remote instruction. Faculty members will conduct remote learning experiences using a variety of tools originating from the school’s website, and distance learning plans will be shared with parents and students once complete. 

“The units of study, lesson plans, and activities will support Darlington’s skill-based curriculum and will ultimately complement our Cycle of Learning,” said Hope Jones, director of Pre-K to 8. “We clearly understand the challenges of remotely educating students and will carefully plan accordingly.”

Upper School

Next week, Darlington will communicate with Upper School students and parents the specific details of this learning model. Faculty members will conduct remote learning experiences using a variety of tools originating from the school’s website

“While we cannot replicate a classroom experience in a virtual setting, we are confident that we will be able to deliver the skills that are necessary for students to be successful in their next-level classes in the fall of 2020 through this model,” said Matt Peer, director of Upper School. “Darlington is strongly encouraging all boarding students to return home or into the care of a guardian in the United States. Boarding students who return home and are unable to return to Rome if/when the school reopens after the shutdown recommended by the Governor will be able to complete their course requirements using distance learning, ensuring they earn the course credits necessary to complete the year and earn a high school diploma.”  

Boarding students who are unable to return home due to governmental travel restrictions or into the care of a guardian in the United States should contact Peer at mpeer@darlingtonschool.org as soon as possible to arrange plans to live on campus and learn in a virtual environment.   

Darlington is asking that local students and families not come to campus at this time. As distance learning plans are finalized communications will be distributed to inform when it is appropriate to retrieve items from the school.  

Please note that the COVID-19 virus remains a global health crisis marked by daily changes. The school’s Crisis Management Team is revisiting plans regularly. Information specific to each division will be communicated directly to students and parents via email and through the school’s website. Visit www.darlingtonschool.org/covid19 for helpful resources as well as the most current information as it relates to Darlington.