COVID-19, free lunch changes: What Knox County Schools families should know this year

The first day of school is only a few days away for Knox County students, and there are several changes coming to the district, from a new grading scale to who gets free and reduced lunch.

Here's what families need to know before school starts Monday.

COVID-19 cases, masks and more

The coronavirus pandemic is not over, as confirmed cases of COVID-19 have slowly increased in the past month in Tennessee and Knox County.

The district is encouraging all students and staff to listen to their doctors when it comes to COVID-19. If your doctor is telling you to stay home because of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case, stay home.

Masks are no longer required in Knox County Schools after the school board agreed to pay $145,000 in April to settle the lawsuit against it that led to a mask rule. But students can choose to wear masks.

Knox County Schools won't be publishing a COVID-19 dashboard this year, district spokeswoman Carly Harrington confirmed to Knox News on Tuesday.

"We have been in communication with the Knox County Health Department. At this time, Knox County Schools will not be reporting cases or sending notifications," Harrington said in an email.

The dashboard launched during the 2020-2021 school year using data from the Knox County Health Department.

During the school board's work session Monday, board members discussed whether teachers and staff at Knox County Schools should be granted isolation days for COVID-19 in addition to the typical 10 sick days, but no policy was created.

Grading scale

There's a new grading scale going into place for middle and high school students that changes the system from a 7-point scale to a 10-point scale.

Any grade between a 90-100% is an "A," any grade between 80-89% is a "B," and so on. The Knox County Board of Education voted for the policy change during its July meeting.

TCAP: Knox County Schools test scores improving, but there's still work to be done post-pandemic

The grading scale won't be applied retroactively, so grades from the year before will stay the same.

School communications app

Knox County Schools is rolling out a new tool for parents and families to better communicate with their child's school.

The new platform, called ParentSquare, lets parents interact and get information from their child's school all in one application and on any device — phone, tablet or desktop.

Families can activate an account and register with an active phone number and email address.

The new application, which is replacing the old SchoolMessenger system, allows families to:

• Choose how they receive school messages (email, text or app notification)

• Choose how often they receive notifications

• Communicate in the parents' preferred language

• Engage in the school's community through comments

• Direct message teachers, staff and other parents

• Sign forms and permission slips

• Sign up for conferences and volunteer opportunities

For more information about the new platform, visit knoxschools.org/ParentSquare.

School meals

Since fall 2020, all students at Knox County Schools have been able to get breakfast and lunch for free — regardless of their family's income — because of a federal government waiver.

That program has ended, and now only qualifying schools and students will have access to free and reduced meals.

Several schools in the district qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision program, which is a meal service option for schools and school districts in low-income areas. If your student goes to one of the Community Eligibility Provision schools, they still will be able to get free breakfast and lunch.

Students at other schools who may qualify for free and reduced meals can apply at lunchapplication.com.

The meal costs for the upcoming school year are: $2 for breakfast; $2.75 for elementary lunch; $3 for middle and high school lunch.

Community Eligibility Provision schools

• Adrian Burnett Elementary

• Austin-East Magnet High

• Beaumont Magnet Academy

• Belle Morris Elementary

• Central High

• Chilhowee Intermediate

• Christenberry Elementary

• Dogwood Elementary

• East Knox County Elementary

• Emerald Academy

• Fair Garden Family Center

• Fountain City Elementary

• Fulton High

• Green Magnet Academy

• Gresham middle

• Holston Middle

• Inskip Elementary

• Knoxville Adaptive Education Center (KAEC)

• Lonsdale Elementary

• Maynard Elementary

• Mooreland Heights elementary

• Northwest Middle

• Norwood Elementary

• Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy

• Pond Gap Elementary

• Richard Yoakley

• Ridgedale

• Sam E. Hill Primary

• Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Academy

• South Doyle High School

• South Doyle Middle

• South Knoxville Elementary

• Spring Hill Elementary

• Sunnyview Primary

• Vine Middle Magnet

• West Haven Elementary

• West Hills Elementary

• West View Elementary

• Whittle Springs Middle

New superintendent and principals

The new year is starting with a new superintendent. Jon Rysewyk was selected by the school board in February to replace Bob Thomas, who retired.

Rysewyk is no stranger to Knox County Schools. He's worked in the district since 2002 and was most recently the district's assistant superintendent.

His first day as superintendent was June 4, and he's already made some big changes. He's restructured the central office and created five different school regions based on geography and "unique needs."

You can learn more about Rysewyk and his priorities for the district from our previous reporting:

There are also 22 new principals at Knox County Schools this year. You can find out if your child will have a new principal here. 

Chromebooks

All students will have a Chromebook this year through the district's technology initiative.

The Chromebooks are provided, but insurance is $20, with an option to make payments as low as $4 per month to cover the cost.

Knox County early dismissal days

Students in Knox County will go home early six days this school year as a way to provide more opportunities for teacher development.

Students will go home early on these days in the 2022-2023 school year:

• Aug. 17

• Sept. 21

• Nov. 16

• Jan. 25

• Feb. 15

• March 22

Buses will run at all schools on early dismissal days. Pre-K students will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m., K-5 students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. and grades 6-12 will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

Becca Wright: Higher education reporter at Knox News
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox County Schools families need to know for free lunch, covid-19