March 18, 2020

Dear Chilhowee Community,

Chilhowee School District administration along with the Johnson County School Districts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Health officials continue to monitor the latest developments regarding COVID-19, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.  To help ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff, and to do our part in trying to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Chilhowee School District will join schools in Johnson County and the state and close beginning March 23, 2020 through April 3, 2020.  

This closure affects all programming at our schools, including athletic and extracurricular practices and competitions, weekend events, and facility use by outside groups.

Classes are set to tentatively resume on Monday April 6.  However, as we continue to monitor and assess this situation, we will reevaluate the status of school closures as we get closer to our tentative return date. 

We understand that extended closure will create hardship for many of our families, Please know that we are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for all of our students, teachers, staff members, and families through this time.  This is a dynamic situation that has led to frequent changes and updates. 

Over the next few days, we will communicate our plan to support families during this unprecedented health crisis, which will include:

  1. Providing daily meals for those who count on our school nutrition services,
  2. Maintaining learning momentum to the greatest extent possible, given the circumstances.

We will be sending frequent updates with information and resources via email, text messages, our website, and social media channels.  We will communicate directly with staff members regarding specific roles and responsibilities. 

We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this difficult situation.  We will get through this challenge together.   

Sincerely,

Troy Marnholtz, Superintendent