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.
Light from satellites will ruin majority of some space telescope images, study says
Astronomers have long been concerned about reflections from satellites showing up in images taken by telescopes and other scientific instruments.
Defense Department is reviewing boat strike video for possible release, Hegseth says
In a speech on Saturday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the strikes, saying: "President Trump can and will take decisive military action as he sees fit to defend our nation's interests."
Bama, Miami in, Notre Dame out and Indiana No. 1 in College Football Playoff rankings
Nobody paying attention for the past 24 months would be surprised to see Indiana – yes, Indiana – leading the way into this year's College Football Playoff.
McLaren’s Lando Norris wins first F1 title at season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen won the race with Norris placing third, which allowed Norris to finish two points ahead of Verstappen in the season-long standings.
A ban on feeding pigeons ruffles lots of feathers in Mumbai
The pigeon population has exploded — a result of people feeding the birds. For some it's a holy duty and a way to connect to nature. Critics point to health risks tied to exposure to pigeon droppings.
UN humanitarian chief: world needs to ‘wake up’ and help stop violence in Sudan
The UN's top humanitarian and emergency relief official has told NPR that the lack of attention from world leaders to the war in Sudan is the "billion dollar question".
