From The New Reporter’s Grant Merritt East Columbus High School teacher and coach Justin Furlow was named the Columbus County Schools 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year through a live broadcast hosted by Superintendent Deanne Meadows and Associate Superintendent Jonathan Williams Tuesday evening. In lieu of a banquet to announce and honor the award recipient, a surprise visit to Furlow’s home was used to keep social distancing intact. Furlow is approaching his sixth year as a Spanish teacher and soccer coach at ECHS. The 2015 graduate of Campbell University said he was very surprised but honored to be chosen as the school system’s Teacher of the Year. He values hard work, diversity and being able to have a positive impact on many people through his career.

Shortened seasons in unusual times of the year. If the COVID-19 numbers allow, that could be the case for ECJSHS athletics. Volleyball could run from November to January. Football would start in February. Basketball would be somewhat normal. Men’s soccer would start in January. Women’s soccer in March. Baseball would be fairly normal as would track and field. Men’s tennis and softball would be in March and April. Women’s tennis would follow in April and May. No word on whether spectators would be allowed.

Several hundred of East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s students and parents attended one of four hour-long sessions at the school Thursday evening. With cleaning between sessions, social distancing and masks, the staff and faculty kept the evening as safe as possible as guests learned about the upcoming semester and how to make the best use of remote learning. Those needing them received Chrome Books. Remote learning for all ECJSHS students begins Monday, August 17. The school is scheduled to open to blended learning Sept. 14.