MANSFIELD — Superintendent Stan Jefferson announced Friday that all Mansfield City students will transition to remote learning after Richland County went purple this week.
The school district will operate under five days a week of remote learning only through Jan. 8. Remote students will be expected to participate in live sessions in Google Meet and complete work assigned by their teachers. Additional information will be provided by staff at each school. Families with scheduling challenges that impact students attending live sessions in Google Meet should contact their school principal.
Jefferson said the decision was made with senior leadership based on the district’s “Reset Restart Plan.”
“Our Reset Restart plan stated that if we went purple that we were going to go remote,” Jefferson said. “The Richland Public Health Department has recommended in their statement that they sent out, they have stated in their letter that K-12 schools are recommended to begin remote learning as soon as planning and technological resources allow and we are ready.”
Jefferson noted the district had already scheduled periods of remote learning after Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Jefferson stated that the district would not go back to in-person learning during the month of December even if the county drops to a level three “red” status next week.
“You can’t take your families back and forth. Families need to have a plan so we can plan,” he said.
The district website states that families will be notified about “the next steps in our learning plan” by the end of the day on Jan. 7.
“It is our strong desire to return to in-person learning if conditions allow,” the update stated.
Jefferson said that it’s possible the district will extend its period of remote learning beyond Jan. 8 if Richland County remains purple.
“Obviously if we go yellow or red or orange, we are back to in-person learning (in January),” he said.
Jefferson said the district will continue to follow its reset restart plan and guidance from the health department. He added that the safety and health of students and staff is paramount.
Daily meal pick-up will be available for students from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mansfield Senior High and Malabar Intermediate. Breakfast and lunch will be included. Meal delivery is available upon request and by filling out a form on the district website.
