On. Sept. 17, Gov. Roy Cooper authorized Plan A in-person opening of schools for all elementary students in Kindergarten through fifth grade.
The Governor’s announcement allows Plan A to begin as early as Oct. 5. Under Plan A, all elementary students will be allowed to attend at the same time. Social distancing in school buildings and on buses is recommended but not required. Therefore, an A Week – B Week rotation is not required.
Cooper’s order does not allow Plan A use for middle school and high school students.
“Our people have worked very hard to feed children, provided remote learning, and develop plans to reopen under Plan B,” said Dr. Bill Nolte, Superintendent. “Authorizing Plan A for only half of the students adds an additional, cumbersome, and unnecessary layer of planning and logistical work for our people.”
School system officials will review the newly revised state guidelines in the next few days. Elementary and secondary principals planned to meet Sept. 18 to discuss options. The purpose of these meetings is to formulate viable plan ideas for reopening half of our schools on Plan A. Viable plan ideas will be shared with the Board of Education in the coming days.
The Board of Education has a special called meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 to discuss the governor’s announcement.