By Thomas Sellers Jr.
On March 24, teachers and faculty of E.A. Harrold Elementary passed out nearly 60 free meals before noon on the campus to those who drove up with children. To help keep the children safe and healthy, the Millington Municipal School District provided free meals for any child 18 years of age or under.
The program was drive through only and every must remain in the vehicle. And the children must be present in vehicle to be served.
The outreach started March 23 and lasted throughout the week beginning at all four school sites at 10:30 a.m.
The free meal giveway concluded at noon each day at: E.A. Harrold Elementary 4943 West Union, Millington Middle School 4964 Cuba Millington, Millington Elementary 6455 William Osteen Drive and Aycock Park – 7330 Renda Street.
For more information call 873-5680.
Later in the week Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced his recommendation for all school buildings to remain closed through Friday April 2.
All Millington Municipal Schools buildings will remain closed until such time.
“We will continue to be vigilant in keeping our students and families safe during this challenging chapter,” MMS statement said. “We are working diligently on instructional options moving forward and we will communicate this plan to you shortly. Although we are separated by location, we are unified in mind and spirit and that is what makes us #OneMillington.”
Some MMS students will start online classes April 1. Teachers and students have been informed of the process.
Last month, Lee announced all district across the Volunteer State remained closed until the end of March. Lee’s April announcement was the latest in his effort to steer the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor has largely shied away from mandates, as other states have done, and instead urged people, businesses and other institutions to decide for themselves to stay home.
Schools are to remain closed until April 24, and more than half of Tennessee’s 40,000 state employees have been instructed to continue working from home until then.
The governor also said he activated the Tennessee National Guard, 250 volunteer members of which will be assisting at rural coronavirus testing sites around the state, where the total cases numbered at least 667 on Tuesday afternoon.
Per an executive order March 23, driver’s licenses expiring after March 12 will be extended until May 18, and the state is also waiving emissions testing deadlines until that date.
REAL IDs won’t be issued until then either, Lee said, since the federal deadline requiring one is also being pushed back.
Lee has also moved back the filing deadline for businesses’ franchise and excise taxes to July 15.
The Tennessee Attorney General’s office, in conjunction with Lee’s administration, filed an emergency petition with the Public Utility Commission to urge utility companies to suspend disconnections for those who cannot currently make payments.
Officials with the state Department of Commerce and Insurance have requested insurance companies be flexible and avoid canceling insurance policies for non-payment.
