Northeast Georgia schools have been gearing up for the start of a new school year by establishing coronavirus related precautions for extracurriculars like band, chorus and theatre.
Due to their more active nature, these extracurriculars can require more creative precautions than the precautions planned for traditional classroom settings. For example, Stan Lewis, Director of Community Relations at Hall County Schools said Hall County Schools have considered several specific changes for concert band classes ahead of the first day of school on August 24.
“We are looking at shortening the period of time instruments are used, using covers/masks for some band instruments, and … breaking students up into smaller groups,” Lewis said.
On top of these changes, Lewis said Hall County Schools are also looking into several precautions for music classes in their Elementary Schools. Some of these potential ideas include installing plexiglass shields at pianos, sanitizing rhythm instruments, and using software that would allow students to practice virtually.
According to Lewis, the plans for Hall County Schools’ extracurriculars are being updated on a near-weekly basis, but the priority for each update is to keep kids safe and engaged.
Nearby Gainesville High School will begin the year in a virtual format on August 17, before moving to in-person learning on September 8. Even with this initial virtual start, the GHS marching band has already been getting ready for their Friday night shows.
Gainesville High School’s fall plans for the Big Red Machine involve adhering to social distancing guidelines and practicing outdoors while separated by instrument group, according to GHS Principal Jamie Green.
Green said if fans are in the stands at City Park Stadium this fall, they can expect a half-time performance comparable to previous years’ in length and spectacle.
“The theme this year is Journey, and you know, we really hope we're going to get the chance to perform it because it's pretty special,” Green said.
By comparison, the band directors of Hall County Schools recently made the decision to delay high school marching band camps by two weeks, instead of holding the camps in July. Lewis said the band directors are using this extra time to further develop safety protocols before students return to class.
Another change for Hall County Schools involves the school system’s chorus programs. Unlike marching band, chorus programs typically involve large indoor rehearsals, which can make social distancing difficult.
Lewis said students participating in the chorus program will be split into groups of one to four while practicing indoors, and chorus instructors will be required to wear face shields. Hall County Schools’ chorus programs will be allowed to hold large group rehearsals outdoors, as long as social distancing protocols are in place.
The protocols for drama and chorus programs are still in the works for Forsyth County Schools, according to Jennifer Caracciolo, Director of Communications & Community Engagement at FCS. Caracciolo said each school is planning to enforce specific procedures based on the amount of space available in each building.
Students in Forsyth County Schools start the new school year on August 13 with the option of in-person or virtual learning. High school students who want to pursue virtual learning, as well as band and chorus classes, will be able to do so with a hybrid path.
“So for some of their classes, say their core academics, they could take those online, but their face to face classes such as band and chorus, they can then go to the school and take those classes,” Caracciolo said.
Officials at Gainesville High School are also looking at ways to keep the Red Elephants engaged in more traditional extracurriculars, such as math club, while pursuing virtual learning, according to Green.
“We want to make sure that being remote doesn't limit our ability to engage students outside of the curriculum and outside of athletics. We're committed to supporting the students in these programs,” Green said.
Green said he could not give any details on what traditional clubs could look like in a time of virtual learning, as plans have been fluid due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Editor’s note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. As plans for extracurriculars in Northeast Georgia schools are constantly changing, some of the information in this report may now be outdated.
