Education
Gwinnett Schools May Transition to In-Person Instruction, over several weeks
Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) announced August 4 that they will be transitioning into in-person instruction sooner than previously thought. Below is the transcript of the “Open Letter to the Community and Employees of Gwinnett County Public Schools”.
In March 2020 our world, our lives, and our work were turned upside down by a new coronavirus that had spread across our nation. Like school districts everywhere, Gwinnett County Public Schools responded quickly to keep students learning, while keeping them and their teachers safe. Amid tremendous uncertainty and constantly changing conditions, we did our best to finish the school year strong, always hoping the COVID-19 situation would improve dramatically before time to begin the new school year in August.
Today, just eight days before school starts, there is still much uncertainty surrounding this virus, and more challenges have emerged as we wrestle with determining the best plan for opening school. That decision is made harder because there is easy access to a lot of conflicting information about COVID-19 from multiple sources, while the airwaves are filled with reports about increasing cases in Gwinnett County. We must balance that information against the concerns of parents who fear for their children’s educational progress, as well as their own employment, and need for us to bring their children back to school. At the same time, we must care for our people, many of whom have understandable concerns about returning to work when they feel the virus risk remains high for them and their families.
The Gwinnett County Board of Education and I know that the decisions we make carry high stakes for our families, students, employees, and community members. That is why we have listened to you, read your emails, and reached out to you for input as we developed possible plans for the start of school. Those plans, out of necessity, have changed from time to time, but our steadfast goal has not. We have stated from the beginning of the COVID crisis that in-person instruction for every student is what we prefer and would work to achieve. That remains our primary objective, and is the focus of this letter.
We will begin to implement in-person instruction for students whose parents desire it, and do so as soon and as safely as possible. Here is what you need to know about our plans.
We announced on July 20 that, due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 in the county, our schools would open with 100% digital instruction for all students. Teachers would deliver that instruction from their school sites beginning August 12. That plan remains in effect. Simultaneously, we will take steps to gradually transition to a blend of in-person and digital learning for students, based on their parents’ choices. Our hope is that shortly after the school year starts, we can begin to honor the choices parents made in July for either in-person or digital instruction for their children. A letter confirming the parent’s choice for each child will be sent by mid-August.
Student and staff safety will be the paramount factor in determining the pace at which we will move. We plan to begin small, bringing in a limited number of grade levels at first, then adding more grades on a staggered basis. As we have done throughout the past months, we will rely on guidance from health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Gwinnett County Department of Public Health, as well as the Georgia Department of Education, in making that determination.
How might this plan work? The table below represents a “best-case scenario” for beginning the transition for families who want us to provide in-person instruction. Adjustments to the dates and the grade levels listed may be necessary based on the still-fluid COVID-19 situation in Gwinnett County. Regardless of the timeline, we will monitor the local conditions on a regular basis, and with guidance from our health partners, will either slow down the return to school or continue with the plan accordingly. Updates to the plan will be communicated promptly and as far in advance as possible so families and employees have time to prepare. At all times, extensive protective measures will be in place to sanitize our facilities, maintain social distance to the fullest extent possible, and make the return to school safe for children and adults. (A list of these protective measures is posted on the GCPS website.)
Our starting point for providing in-person instruction is outlined in this chart. Actual Starting Dates will be influenced by guidance from the health and educational organizations listed above.
| Starting Date | Elementary School Grades | Middle School Grades | High School Grades | Special Education |
| August 12 | All grades digital | All grades digital | All grades digital | All classes digital |
| August 26* | K and 1st grade in person | 6th grade in person | 9th grade in person | All self-contained classes in person** |
| September 2* | K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades in person | 6th and 7th grades in person | 9th and 10th grades in person | All self-contained classes in person** |
| September 9* | All grades in person | All grades in person | All grades in person | All self-contained classes in person** |
** Includes students who spend the majority of the day in a small-group setting: Severe/Moderate & Mild Autism; Severe/Profound, Moderate & Mild Intellectual Disabilities; Emotional-Behavioral Disabilities; ADAPT; GNETS; Visual Impairment; Moderate Visual Impairment; Orthopedic Impairment; Significant Developmentally Delayed; Specific Learning Disabilities (self-contained); Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Early Childhood Program (special needs pre-school).
School district leaders continue to hold discussions about how best to address the needs, as well as the concerns, of our students’ families and our employees. We understand that no plan will be universally popular with all stakeholders. But we are committed to doing what we believe is best for students in terms of their health, safety, and education. We ask for your patience, understanding, and cooperation in helping us achieve a positive, safe start to the new school year for Gwinnett’s children.
J. Alvin Wilbanks, CEO/Superintendent
The International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) recently hosted its third annual Dining with the Scholars event on April 18 — an evening filled with celebration, culture and community spirit.
Held at Canton House in Duluth, the event welcomed over 200 attendees, including students, parents, teachers, board members, local sponsors and special guest, the Consul General of Japan.
Fundraising and performances
The purpose of the event was twofold: to raise funds in support of academic programs for the school and, most importantly, to honor and showcase the outstanding talents and achievements of ICAGeorgia students.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a silent auction, dinner and dessert, as well as a vibrant lineup of student performances, a magic show and live music — creating a truly festive and memorable atmosphere.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the many local companies and organizations whose generous sponsorship made this event possible,” said Felecia Tucker-Jones, principal of ICAGeorgia. “[The] support helps us continue to grow and enhance our academic offerings.”
By all accounts, it was a night to remember — and a wonderful reminder of the strong, supportive community that surrounds the school.
Children’s Day Festival
On May 4, students, families and community members gathered at Thrasher Park in Norcross for a vibrant celebration of Children’s Day, a beloved Japanese holiday that honors children’s happiness, growth and well-being.
The Japan’s Children’s Day Festival 2025 brought together over 1,000 attendees for a full day of music, crafts, food and cultural experiences.
Visitors of all ages enjoyed traditional Japanese activities such as origami, kingyo sukui (goldfish scooping) and kimono try-ons, while kids played in bounce houses, participated in golf and soccer games and listened to story time in the park.
The festival’s stage was alive with performances from school choirs, dance studios and even a thrilling showcase of breakdancing and karate. Local vendors offered delicious international food — from pizza, tacos and paella to boba and shaved ice — while guests explored artisan booths and even online shopping options.
Culture and community
This festival was a beautiful reflection of cultural pride and community spirit and partnerships, with ICAGeorgia, local small businesses and generous sponsors bringing the vision to life.
“We’re deeply grateful to all our sponsors, performers, volunteers and families who made the day so special,” said Jeremy Williams, president of the ICAGeorgia PTO.
As Norcross continues to grow as a hub for diverse cultural events, Japan’s Children’s Day Festival stands out as a joyful, family-focused experience with the goal of continuing for years to come.
Follow Japan’s Children’s Day Festival (@JapansChildrensDayFestival) on Instagram and Facebook, and stay tuned for next year’s exciting event.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia is a statewide charter school available free of charge to any K–6 student residing in Georgia.
Located in Peachtree Corners, the school offers a dual language immersion program in both English and Japanese, a rigorous standards-based curriculum, extracurricular activities and multiple opportunities throughout the year to engage in cross-cultural community.
For more about the school, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.
Simpson Elementary School celebrated Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) last month with five days of special activities to recognize their special needs population and all of their exceptional students.
April 14–18 is set aside each year to celebrate children with disabilities, gifts and talents. This year’s ECW theme was Bridging Gaps and Building Futures, and the school was happy to take part.
They highlighted each day of the week on the morning news with fun facts about notable people in society — and throughout history — who have overcome challenges with their disabilities, including actor Daniel Radcliffe (who has lived with dyspraxia for his entire life), Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Frida Kahlo and Helen Keller.
Simpson Elementary’s technology team also pre-recorded various special needs classes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day of the week.
Guest speaker
To end their ECW with a bang, they invited former Simpson Elementary parent, State Representative Scott Hilton, to come in and speak to their K-2 classes about raising his son, Chase (who is autistic and now a student at Norcross High School), and how being different is okay.
“Showing kindness and being inclusive is the best version of humanity,” said Dr. Taffeta Connery, Simpson Elementary School principal, in a statement about the event.
“Simpson Elementary has a special needs population of 214 (23%) of 946 students. [And] … we strive to ensure that our students are valued, recognized and instilled with high expectations for all.”
For more about Simpson Elementary, visit simpsones.gcpsk12.org.
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