By Kyra Davis
News Producer

TUSCUMBIA, Ala — The state of Alabama canceled school for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19.

Teachers and parents are finding new ways to teach their students from home and online after Gov. Kay Ivey ordered schools to close beginning on April 6. 

The COVID-19 pandemic caused chaos throughout the world. Once the first reported case in the United States became known, state and local governments began to take precautions. 

“We are developing a plan so that the kids will be able to continue their education,” said Sharica Long, secretary at Tuscumbia City Board of Education. 

Many schools in northwest Alabama are making the decision to keep their lunchrooms open during the Pandemic. 

“We know that school breakfast and lunch is the only time many students will eat,” said Alvie Shaw, EdD, principal of Colbert Height Elementary. “The lunchroom staff, administrators and [some] teachers make bags of food and hand them out to parents on Mondays to supply food for the week.” 

Some administrators are meeting more to make sure the students in their school have enough school work and parents feel comfortable with the material they are given. 

Special education will receive work from their special education teachers and general education teachers.

“Teachers communicate with parents using methods of communication such Dojo, Remind, email and zoom. We also provide educational links on the school webpage,” Shaw said.

Alabama now has reported over 950 cases of COVID-19. The United States government has issued another 30 days of quarantine and social distantancing. It is projected to end on April 30, should citizens follow the precautions.