Online, on paper, on edge: Teachers, students, parents prepare for school shutdown.

Jessica Hiler, president of the Fayette County Education Association, said Friday that her educators group is coordinating with school district administration to ensure that teachers can work remotely if they want for the next two weeks during the coronavirus pandemic school shutdown.

“We are working with district administration to ensure that staff have the flexibility to work remotely so that they can also care for their own families, while still providing instructional resources for their students,” Hiler said.

With many private schools and all public districts in Kentucky following Gov. Andy Beshear’s recommendation to stop in person learning for two weeks, beginning Monday, developments were rapid and fluid Friday as officials discussed changes in the way children would learn and teachers would work.

Beshear recommended Friday morning that teachers be allowed to work from home if possible.

Parent Josh Douglas said he reached out to Fayette Superintendent Manny Caulk and Fayette school board chairwoman Stephanie Spires because he was concerned that teachers would be expected to be present in school buildings next week at a time when Beshear was calling for people to keep their distance from others and practice “social distancing.”

Shortly after noon Friday, Douglas told the Herald-Leader he was hopeful that school district officials would provide “flexibility to teachers who do not feel that they should be going into the buildings.”

Caulk said in a message to staff Thursday night that there would be many ways for staff to meet work obligations.

Kentucky Interim Commissioner Kevin Brown told superintendents in a webcast Friday that it was preferable for teachers to telecommute and work from home. If districts decide to bring teachers into buildings, social distancing should be practiced, he said.

Several private schools in Lexington, including Sayre, Lexington Christian Academy, Lexington Catholic High School and Christ the King Elementary, also announced that they were canceling in-person classes and transitioning to virtual learning for the next two weeks.

Fayette County Public Schools spokeswoman Lisa Deffendall said Friday that the district has canceled all activities through at least April 6, including the SAT test scheduled for Saturday at Lexington’s Henry Clay High School.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association said on Friday there will be no school sports activities allowed until at least April 12.

Connie White, a state public health official who participated in the webcast, said the social precautions recommended in the next few weeks could be tough on some teens.

“If you call off school and everybody shows up at the mall hanging out, that’s not social distancing,” White said.

Here is some of the guidance about help and learning for Fayette students that Caulk provided on Thursday night for the period from March 16 through April 3. That’s when in person classes are canceled and spring break is scheduled:

▪ Students will have instructional resources – online and on paper – that are appropriate for different grade levels.

▪ There is a plan to provide breakfast and lunch for anyone 18-years-old or younger. The district will serve lunch only on Monday, March 16. Twice a day service will run March 17-20 and March 23-27. It will not take place between March 30 and April 3, while schools were already scheduled to be closed for spring break.

▪ Students will get a handout titled “FCPS Learning Unplugged,” which contains 15 days of activities that do not require technology in reading,writing, math, science, social studies, physical education, health and art.

▪ The district will provide a list of bus stops and times throughout the community where children can pick up breakfast and lunch.

▪ Books, workbooks, and electronic devices as available will support learning at home and a handout on family fun activities will be distributed.

▪ Bluegrass Health First Clinics at Arlington, Booker T. Washington, Breckinridge, Cardinal Valley, Harrison, Mary Todd, Tates Creek and William Wells Brown elementary schools, and Lexington Traditional Magnet School will remain open.

▪ School offices will be open next week. The district switchboard will accept phone calls at (859 381-4100 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. five days a week for the next two weeks, and will stop during spring break.

▪ Except for the week of spring break, Family Resource and Youth Service Centers staff will also be available to accept phone calls. District mental health professionals will be available to respond to youth and families.

Pulaski County schools will provide meals at elementary schools and other locations along bus routes during the shutdown, Superintendent Patrick Richardson announced Friday afternoon.

The meals will be available at lunch time to students in any grade who need them.

“It is our goal to continue to provide for our children during this time,” Richardson said.

This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 3:42 PM.