Unparalleled Support During the Pandemic

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Katie Strickland

Strategic Communications Director

Mobile: 404-293-0596

Email: [email protected]

Unparalleled Support During the Pandemic

BUFORD, Ga.,-Our athletes thought they were only leaving their uniforms in lockers for two weeks last March when Governor Kemp ordered school closures.

When the order was extended through the end of the 2019-2020 school year, baseball fields, tennis courts, track facilities, and all school buildings were empty.

The mandate put an end to the entire spring season of sporting events and all end-of-the-year events for Buford City Schools.

Buford’s Athletic Director Tony Wolfe wrote an email on March 12, 2021, reflecting back to last spring: “One year ago tomorrow, we shut down school and athletics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, we assumed it would be a temporary two-week delay, and we would head right back to normal very soon. But as we all know now, we never returned and our kids lost their spring season.”

On the anniversary of the shutdown, Superintendent Dr. Robert Downs sent a video message to staff, students, and the community. Downs articulated, “It’s hard not to look back and think about how we might have done things a little differently if we had known. Teachers would have given that one last hug. Coaches would have said that one last ‘great job’, principals would have looked each student in the eye and said, ‘you know what, you’re amazing,’ but we were robbed of that opportunity.”

Assistant Athletic Director, Coach Dexter Wood, works part-time at the high school and says the support the school has received from the School Board and the City of Buford during the COVID-19 pandemic has been unparalleled.

“I've always viewed the City of Buford and our Board of Education as one unified voice in loving and supporting our kids and coaches in Buford. Our student-athletes have been fortunate to participate in fall, winter, and spring sports during the 20-21 school year because of the unwavering support of our Board and City leaders. There is no other place like Buford!”

Buford City Schools began in-person and digital learning in August. Downs says the school district is incredibly grateful for the support of the city, school board, and community at large.

Downs said, “It’s important that we say thank you to our community and the parents of all our students, in-person and digital, for working with us during this unique school year.”

Buford City Schools

The Buford City School System (BCSS) is committed to empowering students to become globally competitive critical thinkers, innovative problem solvers, responsible individuals, and productive citizens.

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