THOMASVILLE — Graduation for the Thomas County Central High School Class of 2020 will not take place on a Saturday morning in late May.

Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order Wednesday that closes Georgia schools through the end of the school year.

A graduation ceremony will take place when the coronavirus onslaught is a thing of the past, said Thomas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Williams.

“We definitely want to celebrate our seniors. They’ve worked hard for this recognition,” she said.

Teachers are working from home via distance learning with digital programs. Meals for students continue to be available for pickup.

“It is very hard to believe that our students will not be physically returning to our schools and classrooms again this school year,” Williams said. “We are truly heart role for our seniors and all students impacted by this pandemic.”

Spring break is scheduled to start Monday. Williams encourages students, parents and school personnel to rejuvenate and enjoy time with family.

Food distribution will not take place during spring break. Distance learning will resume Monday, April 13.

Parents should look at the school system website and social media page for food distribution times following spring break.

Neither will prom, another high school tradition, take place this year. All school system activities have been cancelled.

“Teachers and staff are working hard together, and we’re praying for the community and all of our families and students,” Williams said.

Graduation for the Thomas County Central High School Class of 2020 will not take place on a Saturday morning in late May.

Gov. Brian Kemp issued an executive order Wednesday that closes Georgia schools through the end of the school year.

A graduation ceremony will take place when the coronavirus onslaught is a thing of the past, said Thomas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Williams.

“We definitely want to celebrate our seniors. They’ve worked hard for this recognition,” she said.

Teachers are working from home via distance learning with digital programs. Meals for students continue to be available for pickup.

“It is very hard to believe that our students will not be physically returning to our schools and classrooms again this school year,” Williams said. “We are truly heart role for our seniors and all students impacted by this pandemic.”

Spring break is scheduled to start Monday. Williams encourages students, parents and school personnel to rejuvenate and enjoy time with family.

Food distribution will not take place during spring break. Distance learning will resume Monday, April 13.

Parents should look at the school system website and social media page for food distribution times following spring break.

Neither will prom, another high school tradition, take place this year. All school system activities have been cancelled.

“Teachers and staff are working hard together, and we’re praying for the community and all of our families and students,” Williams said.

Thomasville City Schools Superintendent Ben Wiggins also said distance learning will continue for the system.

“We are certainly disappointed that our students will not be returning to our physical schools for the remainder of the year,” he said, “but we understand and support the Governor’s decision. We, along with every other school system in the state and country, will continue to do our best to provide meaningful instruction to our students via digital/distance learning. Our teachers have done an amazing job in a very difficult situation.” 

The city school system will continue to provide meals but they will not be provided during spring break, which begins Monday.

Wiggins said the city schools also have a goal of holding graduation at a later date.

“We have been and will continue to work on multiple plans to address graduation for our seniors,” he said. “We will be patient and deliberate in announcing our plans as our ultimate goal is to provide our seniors with the very best graduation possible given the circumstances. We will take guidance from our local, state and federal agencies in these decisions to ensure everyone’s safety.”