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Stewart in 2019 with student of the month honorees (left to right): Bradyn Slaughter, Keangel Devaughn, Giorgia Plebani, Madelyn Martin.

School returns with new normal

By Michael Butler

Tallassee High School will have a new principal and assistant principal as school starts in the COVID-19 era on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Chet Stewart has been in the role of assistant principal since 2007 at THS. He now takes over the head position at the high school. Brooke Barron will fill his former role.

"It's a little bit different," Stewart said. "I won't say it's more pressure, just a little more weight. I'm in a different role. Mrs. Barron's in a different role. Mrs. (Pam) Johnson retired this past year, so Mrs. (Jennifer) Hyde's in a different role. That office looks a little bit different than it did last year."

Leo Club members from Tallassee High School help pack First Aid packages for Tallassee City Schools teachers and students returning to the classroom

The school grounds will have a new look too with major changes in the offing. A new parking lot is complete on the high school campus. Next up are plans to begin construction on a new high school. A 30-year $16.5 million bond has been secured for the project which is expected to get underway if bidding is approved.

As the 2020-21 school year starts, all students will have a portion of virtual coursework when not in the classroom. Groups have been separated into A-Days and B-Days for classroom scheduling.

"If a student is a traditional student and at home, they'll have an opportunity to get on Google Meet and view the lesson," Stewart said of high school students. "The virtual kids are on a different platform, the Edgenuity Courseware. We'll have some tutoring sessions available after hours."

All students in the Tallassee City School system will be offered free meals. The summer feeding program has been extended. Breakfast and lunch will be served at no charge to all students until December.