Emerald Academy Announces Reopening Plan for 2020-2021 School Year
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Emerald Academy, Knoxville’s only public charter school, shared its reopening plan for the upcoming school year with scholars and parents Thursday evening.
Emerald Academy will reopen August 10, 2020. This is a delay of two weeks from the originally scheduled start date of July 27, 2020. The school day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:15 p.m.
Parents have the option of choosing between in-person or distance learning for their scholar and must notify the school of their decision by 5:00 p.m. July 20, 2020, to allow for planning and appropriate staffing. Once selected, families will be committed to their option through the end of the fall semester.
Emerald Academy will offer one-to-one technology, meaning every scholar will have a Google Chromebook to use in the classroom and at home.
For in-person learning:
• Scholars will remain in the same classroom the majority of the day, including for breakfast and lunch.
• Transportation – Families will be encouraged to use the car-rider line. For bus riders, there will be assigned seats (preferred with siblings).
• Masks will be required for all staff and scholars.
• Physical distancing to the greatest extent possible.
• All scholars and staff will have their temperature checked.
For distance learning:
• Families must meet all Tennessee Department of Education mandates, including 180 instructional days (4 hours daily in kindergarten, 6.5 hours daily in first through eighth grade).
• Scholars will receive instruction with a Distance Learning teacher(s) via Zoom during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., and assignments will be submitted using Google Classroom.
• Attendance will be tracked and grades required.
School leaders are committed to providing a healthy environment, and during the extended break, the school’s maintenance team has been hard at work preparing and sanitizing the building.
Additionally, Emerald Academy is excited to share about two new partnerships in support of the health and well-being of scholars, staff and school visitors:
• SCHOOL SANITIZATION: Knoxville-based company Ionogen is providing its Purity humidifiers filled with non-toxic air sanitizer for all 22 classrooms and other key locations throughout the school. These units will create sanitized, clean air for everyone to breathe. Additionally, non-toxic hand sanitizer will be provided in each classroom, as well as at stations scattered throughout the building. Ionogen is the industry leader in the technology of creating pure, clean environments for healthy living, and this partnership also promotes environmental sustainability.
• SCHOOL HEALTH CLINIC: In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Cherokee Health Systems will provide medical care and expanded services for scholars and faculty members. This collaboration will enhance the model of a traditional school nurse and expand opt-in offerings to include access to telemedicine, on-site diagnostic and prescription services, and referral to a broader health network.
Emerald Academy is located in Knoxville’s Old Mechanicsville neighborhood.
About Emerald Academy & Emerald Charter Schools
Emerald Academy is a free, independently operated, K-8 college preparatory school launched by Emerald Charter Schools. It is located in the historic Moses School Building at 220 Carrick Street in Old Mechanicsville. For more information about the school and how to become involved, visit www.emeraldacademy.org. Founded in 2014, Emerald Charter Schools is a non-sectarian, 501(c)(3) organization that operates Emerald Academy. Learn more at www.emeraldcharterschools.org.