Below is a message from MCATC Principal Christina McRay discussing the move to Distance-Learning for the area technology center.
This week (Oct. 19-23) Marion and Washington County Public Schools will remain open to In-Person learning; however, the Marion County Area Technology Center will move to Distance-Learning. Students who normally attend classes at the ATC will have locations assigned to them at their home school for those periods. Our instructors will be providing virtual instruction through Google Meets each period; please access your Google Classroom for more information.
We know this discrepancy can seem confusing for parents and students alike, so this communication is meant to clarify how those decisions are made.
Why is the ATC closing and not our feeder districts?
The decision to remain open to In-Person learning or move to Distance-Learning is a local decision; however, the Marion County ATC is not under the direct control of MCPS. Although MCPS owns the ATC building, the ATC is a state-run facility and the teachers are employed by Kentucky Tech. This means the decision for those classes to remain In-Person comes from the Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education.
Why did KDE’s Office of Career and Technical Education decide to close to In-Person learning?
ATC’s are required to move to Distance-Learning when its county is designated RED by Kentucky’s Department of Public Health’s County Incidence Map. As Superintendent Schlosser explained in a letter, MCPS uses guidance from KDE and DPH along with other important information when making decisions related to Distance-Learning.
When will the ATC re-open to In-Person instruction?
If Marion County has moved out of the RED category next Thursday, the ATC will resume In-Person learning on October 26. In the meantime, the ATC will be able to accommodate some small group instruction this week. Also, there are some classes at the ATC taught by MCHS teachers that will not be affected.
If you have questions regarding distance learning or need assistance, please email your instructor or Ms. McRay @ christina.mcray@marion.kyschools.us.
Sincerely,
Christina McRay
Principal
Marion County ATC