Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Bogalusa City Schools chose to complete their fall semesters early this year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter to parents and students, BCS Superintendent Lisa Tanner said that the school board met and voted to shorten the first half of the school year.

“The Bogalusa City School Board met … and voted for our schools to complete our fall semester on Friday, Dec. 18, instead of Wednesday, Dec. 23,” Tanner wrote. “Students will return on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. All school work, whether it is virtual or face-to-face, will resume on that Monday.”

Tanner also stated that it is still uncertain whether students will return to school in person, or remain virtual.

“We will keep a close watch on the COVID numbers, and make a decision soon regarding learning status for our students and employees,” she wrote.

Tanner stated that all decisions are being made with the help of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Louisiana Department of Education, and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

Tanner also expressed her appreciation for the cooperation of parents and guardians during a difficult year.

“This has been a year unlike any of us have ever seen,” she wrote. “I believe that the faculty and staff at our schools in BCSS have gone above and beyond in their professional endeavors to provide the best education for our children during this time of virtual learning.

“Please work with our teachers as they reach out to you for assistance and to help you during this time. Each call and contact made is to keep communication open and to help educate our children.”