This school year in Rockdale County will be very different. As classes begin today, students will learn from home and all sports have been postponed.

School officials say it will be up to the parents to make sure their students not only excel in the classroom, but also stay active and have a healthy diet.

Scherie Jeffries says thankfully her 5th grader has a recess block.

“Meaning that they should go do some type of activity. Get up and move,” Jeffries told Channel 2 Action News.

[COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Plans for returning to school this fall]

They’re also participating in the district’s mobile meals service a few days a week.

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“I’m very excited about the school lunches and the support it will give to the students making sure they have healthy meals each and other day,” Jeffries said.

Jeffries says her 5th and 10th grader prepped for this virtual start for last few weeks, even testing out their remote locations at home. Structure, for this mom of two, is top priority.

“We do expect you to rise at a time that will allow you to have breakfast, brushing your teeth, washing your face and also getting dressed for school so you’re in school mode,” Jeffries said.

High school sports are being postponed until the second semester.

Here is the statement from Rockdale County Public Schools superintendent Terry Oats:

“After careful consultation and deliberation, I have determined that we will postpone our fall sports season until second semester of the 2020-21 school year,” Oatts said in a release. “I have tasked our Director of Athletics with developing a second semester sports schedule for these traditional fall sports accordingly. As a district, we are committed to an active fall sports season; however, we must continue to prioritize above all else the safety and well-being of our student-athletes and athletic personnel. In my judgment, the prospects for a viable fall sports season are more favorable if implemented during second semester when hopefully we will have significantly reduced local, regional and statewide infection and hospitalization rates resulting in decreased case counts. I fully understand the emotions and passions around the issue of athletic competition.

Cox Media Group