Parents can opt for Plan A or Plan C, but Plan B will no longer be an option for students in pre-K through fifth grade
Special to Iredell Free News
Iredell-Statesville Schools students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade will have the option to return to in-person learning five days a week, beginning October 5.
I-SS officials announced the news on Thursday after Gov. Roy Cooper made that an option, following positive trends in COVID-19 cases and management across the state.
“We are excited to welcome back all elementary school students five days a week,” Superintendent Jeff James said. “We will use the next two weeks to solidify plans and schedules to ensure a smooth transition.”
Principals will begin working on classroom schedules, cleaning schedules, transportation plans and building logistics.
“It will be important to continue with our COVID-19 protocols as much as possible,” James explained. “In order to safely bring all our elementary students back to school full-time, we will continue to enforce enhanced cleaning and sanitizing as well as mask wearing. We’ll offer mask breaks when students are six feet apart, and we will encourage schedules that keep students with their classmates to limit potential exposure as much as possible.”
I-SS data shows that its processes work as currently deployed with no student-to-student or student-to-adult transfer and limited quarantine situations.
In the coming days, parents of students in pre-K through fifth grade will learn more about the move to Plan A.
“In many ways, this is sort of like the first day of school all over again, but we are excited to adjust schedules and bring back those students whose families feel comfortable to do so,” James said.
Beginning October 5, elementary families must choose Plan A (five days a week face-to-face learning) or Plan C (all virtual learning). After October 5, families will not be able to switch between Plan A and C until the beginning of the second semester, which begins on January 5, 2021.
Families need to have discussions now about the remainder of the first semester. Students can either come to school full-time or learn virtually full-time.
Plan B, which allowed students a hybrid schedule, will no longer be an option for elementary age students after October 5. As the state continues to adjust restrictions for public schools, the district will continue to seek opportunities to bring secondary students back for more in-person instruction.
This is good news! Older kids might be doing OK with virtual learning, but not those who are younger. They never could get into a routine. A week to a 1st grader is “forever”. Keep practicing methodologies to keep everyone safe, but hands on learning with a real, in person, teacher simply can’t be replaced with a computer screen. I hope it goes well.