Birmingham City Students Return To Classrooms In November
The buildings in the Birmingham City Schools system will house students again for the first time since spring — but only for four days each week.
The official announcement came Tuesday from Superintendent Mark Sullivan. He’d hinted in previous messages to stakeholders that it would not be long before the system returned to in-school learning after beginning the 2020-21 school year with virtual learning only.
In a prepared statement, Sullivan said, “Our overall goal has always been and still remains the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. That commitment has not changed. For several weeks now, our test positive rate in Jefferson County has been moderate, according to the Jefferson County Department of Health.”
The return of students begins Monday, Nov. 9, starting with children in pre-K through eighth grades, plus students with what Sullivan described as “low-incidence special needs.” High school students come back the following Monday.
Students will be divided into two groups, with one group attending school on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesdays will be reserved for cleaning facilities, and teachers will provide virtual learning.
A BCS spokesperson said that about 40% of all families indicated in a survey that they still prefer virtual learning full time, and those families still will be afforded that option.
Teachers and faculty will return to the schools in person Oct. 26 to prepare for the return of students.
Students will be required to wear face masks and teachers will wear face shields.
The move by Birmingham school officials follows most other districts in the metro area, which recently have moved students back into face-to-face classroom settings at least two days a week. Some have fully returned to in-school classes every weekday. All schools must still offer virtual learning as an option.
Memory loss: As AI gobbles up chips, prices for devices may rise
Demand for memory chips currently exceeds supply and there's very little chance of that changing any time soon. More chips for AI means less available for other products such as computers and phones and that could drive up those prices too.
Brigitte Bardot, sex goddess of cinema, has died
Legendary screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. The alluring former model starred in numerous movies, often playing the highly sexualized love interest.
For Ukrainians, a nuclear missile museum is a bitter reminder of what the country gave up
The Museum of Strategic Missile Forces tells the story of how Ukraine dismantled its nuclear weapons arsenal after independence in 1991. Today many Ukrainians believe that decision to give up nukes was a mistake.
Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland led the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a key governing body. He was next in line to become the church's president.
Winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to busy holiday travel weekend
A powerful winter storm is impacting parts of the U.S. with major snowfall, ice, and below zero wind chills. The conditions are disrupting holiday travel and could last through next week.
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
