Updates about Returning to School
Information for our BCSS Family
Please see below for all updates concerning the return to school and answers to FAQ. We will update this page as more information becomes finalized. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
School will resume for all students, except those at Apalachee High School, on Tuesday, Sep. 10. We believe we need to be together as soon as possible to move forward and provide some sense of familiarity for our students.
FAQ
All Barrow County Schools, except Apalachee High School, will welcome students back starting Tuesday, Sept. 10. We are still finalizing reopening plans for Apalachee and will share updates as soon as we have them.
In addition to the School Resource Officers who serve our schools, the Centegix Crisis Alert system, security vestibules, and digital locking systems, we will have additional law enforcement officer presence at each campus. Some schools are also limiting visitors inside their buildings at this time. Please know this action is not to keep families away but to ensure safety and maintain focus.
We are also discussing possible additional layers of prevention and security and will release details we can about that as we can.
We take every reported threat seriously and cooperate with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in their investigations. Our Student Code of Conduct outlines consequences.
Our school counselors are available for students and staff who need emotional support during this time. Please contact your school to schedule a session or for more information on available resources.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) is partnering with Barrow County to open a free Community Recovery Center (CRC) at the Barrow County Leisure Services Center at 175 2nd Street in Winder. The CRC will offer a range of resources, including financial assistance, legal services, and spiritual and mental health care. These services are made possible through partnerships with the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, American Red Cross, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, GA VOAD and various faith-based organizations/houses of worship. Trained volunteers will be available.
Dates & Times:
- Monday, Sept. 9: Noon to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 10 through Friday, Sept. 13: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is an unbelievably challenging moment for all of us and we encourage open and honest communication. You can reach out to your school counselor for advice on how to approach these difficult conversations.
Some resources for right now:
We understand the anxiety surrounding returning to school. Please reach out to your school’s counselor or the support services available in our community now for support and guidance.
If there are specific changes to school events, your principal will let you know. Please expect for some activity/event schedule changes for the next few weeks. Thank you for understanding.
We would like to thank everyone who reached out to help our Barrow County School System family. Your outpouring of support has been a bright light during this dark time.
How Can I Help?
The Barrow Community Foundation, a local non-profit agency, has been a valued partner of the Barrow County School System (BCSS) for several years.
The Barrow Community Foundation has established a designated fund, the "Barrow Community Crisis Fund," to collect donations and support those in need during this time.
If you are interested in supporting our community during this time, please fill out the forms below and we will be in contact.
This site provides information using PDF, visit this link to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software.