Marietta schools begin online today for nearly 9,000 students

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — For students in Marietta City Schools, they will open their books and break out the pencils and paper today at home.

Unlike the much larger Cobb County school system that pushed back the start of school a couple weeks, Marietta stuck with today to begin the year -- but they did pivot to go all online, after originally giving families a choice.

[Here’s when Georgia schools start this year]

Just under 9,000 students in Marietta will start the school year this morning. Teachers will be in the buildings at their 12 campuses, but all students will be at home.

Channel 2 Action News spoke to Marietta Schools Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera.

“Our goal is to see a two-week improvement in numbers, where we see a positivity rate drop, then in addition to that got to get out of this high-spread category,” Rivera said.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Schools and coronavirus]

Rivera says they’re in regular contact with Cobb-Douglas Public Health, and the plan originally to keep schools closed and kids at home the first half of the semester could change.

“My hope is that it’s not the full 9 weeks, but at this point, we just don’t know,” Rivera said.

It depends on the data. But re-opening would likely come in phases, starting with the youngest students first.

“In Marietta, our plan is as soon as we see some positive movement with numbers, we’re going to look at bringing back potentially K-3 first. Could be in a 2 day/week 5 day/week -- numbers drive that decision, but we want to get our children back in the classroom as fast as possible,” Rivera said.

Rivera says because this is a smaller district, they’re able to move quicker and were able to get devices to students who need them.

 “Literally today, and late last night, we’ve been running hot spots out to families that need them,” Rivera said. “We understand that every day is different. For families there are unique dynamics and teachers’ unique dynamics. We’re just trying to be responsive and personalize for 9,000 students and their families to have what they need. We want them to be connected and above all else, building relationships with their teachers.”

That process is continuing this week as school starts.

This 1st day of school in Cherokee County will look very different than other years Some students will be in the classrooms this morning for in-person learning and some will be staying home for digital learning.

Cox Media Group