Memorial’s Day Service cancelled

   Press Release Pickens County Schools -   Pickens County School District was notified this evening that an employee of Pickens High School, who was in the building today, has since received a positive diagnosis for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, the district has immediately closed the building for extensive cleaning and will continue to follow guidance from the Department of Public Health and the CDC. 

     Graduation activities scheduled for this week will continue as planned. Although the staff member was not in the area planned for filming, the location of the graduation ceremony has been moved to a different section of the PHS campus and not in the main facility. We have multiple locations on campus where filming can take place if needed. Graduates, families and guests will receive specific directions regarding the location through Infinite Campus messenger and email, as well as at the Welcome Center upon arrival. 

     Volunteers and staff members will be available to assist families and graduates. The district will continue to be vigilant in following necessary precautions in order to maintain the health and safety of our students, their families, and our staff. 

Pickens coaches posting workouts, meeting with players online

With the abrupt nature with which spring sports came to a halt, everyone’s immediate attention has been to support those athletes whose seasons came to an end. 

The Dragons baseball, soccer, tennis, and track teams were all showing promise when their year was cut short. Now those senior athletes are preparing to graduate virtually, and the question turns to when will sports return in Pickens County. The most recent press release from the GHSA President Robin Hines shows that maybe there is some optimism growing for a return to action. The statement reads as follows:

“I just want to touch base with everyone although there is no concrete news that I can provide. I am in the process of gathering as much information as possible to narrow down a date that we may be able to begin some type of face to face work with our student athletes. We will be looking at local, state and national information to attempt to make the best

     Drive up testing at the North Georgia Health District’s pop-up COVID-19 testing last week at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. While hosted by the Georgia Department of Public Health, several local agencies including the Pickens Sheriff’s Office, the Pickens County government, and Pickens County emergency services were also on site. 

According to North Georgia Health District Public Information Officer Jennifer King, 37 people were tested at Mt. Zion Baptist Church last Wednesday, May 6 during a pop-up COVID-19 testing initiative of the Georgia Department of Public Health. 

Another pop-up test was held at the same location the following Wednesday, May 13 just after press time. 

“We want to make testing as accessible and easy for people as possible,” King said, “and break down those barriers and get people tested. The best part about this is these are free to the public, which is not the case if you have these tests done other places.” 

“This pandemic has interrupted your year, but it has not overshadowed your accomplishments,” PHS principal tells seniors

Blake Moss / Photo

Most students spend their entire school career dreaming of their senior prom, and many do their dress and suit shopping months prior to the date of prom itself. One couple, PHS seniors Shannon Johnson and Zak Price, still had their photo shoot and spent the day together, but with extra precautions of course. Now school administrators are working to salvage graduation plans and say prom is not totally off the table for discussion.

The Pickens High School Class of 2020 will have a virtual ceremony broadcast on Friday, May 29th, a week after the originally-scheduled graduation. Additionally, PHS Principal Chris Wallace said “our hope and prayer is to have the opportunity to provide an in-person, traditional graduation ceremony in our stadium at a later date.”

A survey to graduates and parents found both preferred a virtual ceremony now with the hope of getting an in-person ceremony later, Wallace said. The approximately 300 seniors of the Class of 2020  began signing up Monday for individual time slots next week for their ceremony. At their appointed times, graduates who choose to participate will walk across the