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August 6 - 12, 2020
VOL. 69, No. 32
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Getting ready for school – A virtual balancing act by Terrisa C. Mark Special to The New Tri-State Defender
With Shelby County Schools on track for an all-virtual opening on Aug. 31, the emphasis shifted this week to getting computer devices into the hands of those in need. Initially, SCS parents were given the option to keep their children home to be taught virtually or physically attend classes. Supt. Joris Ray later nixed that plan, citing alarming COVID-19 numbers. “Every student will be provided with a device and have the opportunity for an internet hotspot based on need, “said Ray. The device distribution began Monday (August 3). Parents and stu-
“I’d rather be in school because virtually I won’t be as focused compared to how I will be in school, sitting in class.” — Janez Kelly dents must visit SCS website for Pick up information and scheduling is available at http://www.scsk12.org/ accessforall/. Different devices are being offered for students based open these grade ranges: • Pre-K to Grade 2 will receive a Microsoft Surface Go tablet. • Grades 3-8 will receive a Microsoft Surface Go tablet with an attached keyboard. • Grades 9-12 will receive HP laptop devices. SCS has created live online train-
Additional education coverage — Page 8 ing sessions for parents and older siblings to understand Microsoft Teams, the districts preferred virtual learning platform. Monique Shelton, a SCS parent, is urging all parents to take advantage of the resource help. “I thick SCS has done a good job of showing everyone how to use the devices and what is expected of the virtual learning,” said Shelton.
SCS started the distribution of 95,000 computer devices on Monday (Aug. 3), with parents driving through this pick-up point at the Teaching and Learning Academy at 2485 Union Ave. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises) Janez Kelly, a student at Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, will be entering the 12th grade when the fall semester begins. She was eagerly awaiting her much-needed device, which for her grade will be
an HP laptop, when she talked with The New Tri-State Defender. “I have a computer at home, but it’s messed up. So by them giving me a
SEE SCHOOLS ON PAGE 2
POLITICS 2020
November mail vote expansion overturned by Jonathan Mattise Associated Press
Artful celebration... Paul Thomas, artistic director for the Orange Mound Arts Council (OMAC), is jubilant about the group receiving a “forever lease” from Shelby County Government for its arts-centered operation at 2471 Park Ave. in Orange Mound. OMAC uses the arts as a tool for community redevelopment and cultural enrichment. Read the story at TSD.Memphis.com. (Photo: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises)
Living through COVID-19, Part XIII by Jerome Wright Special to The New Tri-State Defender
This is the 13th installment of The New Tri-State Defender’s ongoing account of three Memphians coping with the coronavirus amid government-directed efforts to slow the virus’ spread. James Cook
A timely rescue Entrepreneur James Cook took his family on vacation to Destin, Fla. last week and,
while there, helped save a man and his two sons from drowning. Cook, his, wife, children, and Cook’s sister Jannah Cook, were on a boat anchored off Crab Island when he noticed two boys, who appeared to be about 9 and 11 years old, and wearing floatation devices, being pulled away from their boat by the tide. Cook, who was not wearing a floatation device, said he immediately realized that the boys were in peril and dived into the water after them. By that time, the boy’s father dived into the water, but was being pulled farther away by the tide. He also was not
wearing a floatation device. Jannah Cook, jumped into the water and helped corral the boys. Cook said he swam after the father and helped rescue him. Cook said the man had to be resuscitated. Asked about his and Jannah’s swimming prowess, Cook credited his mother, Valerie Snipes, with making sure they knew how to swim at an early age. The water depth around Crab Island is generally shallow, which makes it a popular anchoring spot for boaters and swimmers.
SEE COVID-19 ON PAGE 2
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned the option for all eligible voters to vote by mail in November due to COVID-19. The ruling nixes a June expansion order by a lower court that state election officials opposed. The decision came the day voters could start requesting absentee ballots for the general election. The high court’s decision restores Tennessee’s excuse-based system for November, with COVID-19 related additions that include exposure-based quarantining, caretaking and underlying health conditions. The ruling requires the state to provide “appropriate guidance” to voters regarding the underlying health conditions qualification, which was first discussed by the state during oral arguments last week. Justices wrote that the decision doesn’t impact ballots for Thursday’s primary election. “We find that the State’s interests in the efficacy and integrity of the election process are sufficient to justify the moderate
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Vote in the Aug. 6 primary elections; then visit www.TSDMemphis. com for results.