Return to Learn FAQs

Q: Will LCSD students be required to wear uniforms during the 2020-2021 school year?

Q: Will students with 504/IEPs who have medical conditions be allowed to learn on a blended learning model?

Q: Will attendance policies change next year?

Q: Do students have to wear masks?

Q: Will the schools provide masks for students?

Q: Will the bus routes run as normal?

Q: Will all students be screened when they enter the building?

Q: What happens when a student leaves school with a temperature?

Q: If a student or teacher is diagnosed with COVID-19 will the public be informed?

Q: What is considered close contact with a COVID-19 infected person?

Q: If my student is sent home sick for an extended period of time will he/she be allowed to make up work?

Q: Will there be Open Houses?

Q: How will students get school supplies to school?

Q: Can students bring lunch boxes or backpacks?

Q: Can parents enter the schools and visit the classrooms?

Q: If my child decides to homeschool this year and returns to LCSD in the future, will he/she be required to take and pass the state tests to graduate?

A: In most cases, yes. The only exception would be if the homeschool program is accredited (either state accreditation or regional accreditation). Homeschool students who transfer credits from non-accredited institutions will be required to demonstrate mastery by completing an end-of-course test in the subject area and meet one of the graduation options for the corresponding MAAP test (Algebra I, English 10, US History, and Biology I). This is a Mississippi Department of Education graduation requirement.

Q: How will closures be determined should a student or staff member test positive for COVID?

Q: Will each school’s routine & procedures be the same?

Q: Can students bring water bottles to school?

Q: Will all LCSD students have access to a digital device?

Q: If a student loses his/her mask and gets to school, what happens?

Q: Did the LCSD consider student and employee safety when designing the Return to Learn plan?

A: Yes, the safety of our staff and students is of paramount importance. We just contracted over one million dollars on campus improvements to address school safety (e.g. cameras, fencing). Safety drills are conducted routinely on each of our campuses. Our bus drivers are trained on safety at least twice a year. We have SRO’s at each location. To prepare for the upcoming school year, we recently purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars on PPE and cleaning. Changing our school calendar to implement a “soft launch” was also done to address safety. Having smaller numbers during the first days of school will allow both staff and students to learn new safety routines and procedures. We are in the process of hiring three new school nurses to address the health concerns on our campuses. We have hired two additional therapists to help provide mental health supports for our students.

Q: How will a student’s classification as “traditional” or “hybrid” affect district funding?

A: The Mississippi Department of Education has ruled that students participating in hybrid classes or virtual classes through LCSD can be counted as part of the district’s enrollment/attendance. Even though students may not be physically present, these students can be counted present for the purpose of future funding. Because of this, our planning seriously considered a virtual option but did not feel we had the needed infrastructure or training to provide it at an equitable level for all. We ultimately relied heavily on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other researchers and decided face-to-face traditional instruction provides the best possible education and social support for the students of LCSD. Regarding funding, our enrollment/attendance for the 2020-2021 school year will be used to determine our funding for the 2021-2022 school year.

Q: Can students participating in the Blended Schedule participate in school-sponsored extracurricular activities (band, athletics, etc.)?