Mountain Brook School System Releases Reopening Plan

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL — Mountain Brook City Schools, like other school systems in the state, will open this fall amid a pandemic that has forced a very different reality for students. The system announced last week the plan for reopening schools for the 2020-21 school year, with two options for learning.

"While reopening schools amid a pandemic is complex and confusing, we will strive to be clear in communicating our simple yet safe plan," Superintendent Dr. Dickey Barlow said in a statement. "We also will strive to be decisive but flexible as circumstances evolve. With that said, we want you to know that our preeminent goal is to keep our students, faculty, staff, and all of their families as safe as possible. Our schools will follow the strict safety guidelines and procedures outlined in this document to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We cannot, however, stop this virus on our own. Combating COVID-19 will require all of us to join together and take the necessary precautions. It is imperative that we confront this task as a community united by concern for one another."

Two different learning platforms are available for students:

Traditional learning

The traditional school option for Pre-K through 12th grade provides students who reside within the residential zones served by Mountain Brook schools the opportunity to complete a program of courses in an in-person setting. Students will attend school five days per week as they would during a normal school year while abiding by health and safety protocols.

Full-time virtual option

The full-time virtual option provides students who reside within the residential zones served by Mountain Brook Schools the opportunity to complete a program of courses in an online setting. Curriculum will be provided by the state through the Schools PLP learning platform. The content will meet all standards and requirements established by the State Department of Education and State Board of Education. Students who opt for virtual school will be assigned to a Mountain Brook Schools teacher and will be considered enrolled at their base school. Students will remain in the online program for a full semester. They may choose to continue or return to traditional school at the beginning of the second semester.

All students and staff will be required to wear face coverings and observe social distancing rules. Schools are currently creating distancing plans for large common spaces, such as libraries, gyms, cafeterias and playgrounds, and will avoid large group gatherings. Schools are also developing plans to ensure safe traffic flow.

Read the Mountain Brook City School full reopening plan here.