Within hours of the announcement that public schools in Alabama would close Wednesday afternoon and remain closed at least until April 6, Andalusia Elementary School principal Brenda Johnson asked her faculty to put together take-home packages for each child.

And she was awed by the result. 

The announcement was made Friday afternoon. Mrs. Johnson emailed the faculty Saturday morning. And immediately, faculty members began sharing resources and developing plans.

As a result, pick-up for Home Learning Packets began at noon Tuesday at AES for Pre-K through fifth grade. Parents of sixth graders can pick up packets from noon until 4 p.m. on Wednesday. The school had parents pick up packets because many chose to keep their children at home this week.

AES reading specialist and veteran teacher Ashley Black was among those on the front sidewalk delivering packets Tuesday.

Mrs. Black said the packets include enough materials to reinforce reading and math skills for each of the seven days of classes the students will miss. Five of the days that students will be out are Spring Break days. 

“This is not required, and it’s not something for students to do all day long,” Mrs. Black said. “These are things they can do a little bit at the time so that we can keep them at their current reading and math levels.”

Packets were individualized, as not all students have access to online services. Those students received more content on paper. 

In addition, for students who normally receive special services – for instance, speech therapy – there were extra activities in the packets.

In a typical school day, AES students use iPads to access Classworks, where they have individualized learning plans. Teachers also included usernames and passwords in the packets, Mrs. Black said, adding that AES students can access those lessons through the school’s website, http://andalusiaelementary.al.ace.schoolinsites.com/.

Many teachers set up Google classrooms where students can log on and get assignments. 

Mrs. Black agreed with Mrs. Johnson that the cooperation among teachers was great. 

“They rolled with it because this is what we do,” she said. “We have to be flexible to handle the things that come along every day.”

Superintendent Ted Watson told the Andalusia Board of Education that he is super proud of the system employees who are going the extra mile to make sure students have meals, and instructional materials. 

Mayor Earl Johnson announced Monday morning that the city is taking several steps to help stop the expected spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19.

• The Andalusia Public Library will close at the end of business on Wednesday, March 18. The library will follow the schedule of the public school system, and plans to reopen on Monday, April 6.

• City parks also will be closed after Wednesday and until the school system reopens. “We simply don’t have the manpower to keep playground equipment disinfected,” the mayor said.

For now, the golf course will remain open. 

• Andalusia City Schools Superintendent Ted Watson has informed city officials that school personnel are working out a plan to deliver meals while the schools are closed in response to the virus to those students who normally receive free lunches.

Those closings were added to others announced on Friday, which included:

• Because we are concerned about the health and welfare of our senior adults, the Adult Activity Center will be closed effective until further notice. 

The Senior Nutrition Center will continue to operate. Those seniors who normally have foods delivered from the Nutrition Center will continue to receive those deliveries. Meals also will be provided for those who normally dine-in at the Adult Activity Center. They can be picked up weekdays from 11 a.m. until noon, drive-through only.

That being said, social interaction is important to senior adults, and we encourage our patrons to keep in touch with and check on each other.

• Our Department of Leisure Services has announced that it will keep the same schedule as public schools. League practices will continue through Wednesday, March 18. The Department of Leisure Services will keep the same schedule as the school system.  

In an extended interview on WAAO, the mayor encouraged area residents to use common sense and use some “grandma wisdom,” by washing their hands often, “staying away from sick folks,” and checking on their neighbors as people are encouraged to keep social distances. 

The Andalusia Board of Education on Monday approved its 2020-2021 school calendar. 

The schedule includes a full week off at Thanksgiving; two weeks at Christmas; and a week for spring break.

Here are the highlights:

• August 6 – First day of school for teachers

• August 17 – First day of school for students

• Sept. 7 – Labor Day holiday

• Oct. 12 – Columbus Day holiday

• Nov. 11 – Veterans Day holiday

• Nov. 23 – 27 – Thanksgiving holidays

• Dec. 21 - Jan. 1 – Christmas holidays

• Jan. 18 – King/Lee holiday

• Feb. 15 – President’s Day holiday

• March 22-26 – Spring Break

• May 27 – Last day of School for students

Superintendent Ted Watson said he was recommending the calendar, which closely mirrors the calendar adopted by the Covington County School System. However, he said, if schools are required to make up time missed due to the pandemic scare, the start date for 2020-21 might have to be changed.