Mask mandate to be voted on
Robbinsville – “Get ‘em young” is a mantra often used to describe instilling positive values into children at a young age.
With that sentiment in mind, Graham County students might once again have access to learning the Cherokee language at Robbinsville Elementary School.
At a special called meeting of the Graham County Board of Education on July 21, D.J. Robinson – Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Director of Snowbird and Cherokee County Services introduced Cree Rockwood as a candidate to fill the role, which has recently been filled with substitutes.
Rockwood is a 2018 Western Carolina University alumnus and recent graduate of the Cherokee Adult Language Learners Program. Her hiring could be affirmed at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.
Robinson said only 186 individuals can fully speak the Cherokee language. Of that limited number, a mere 47 of those live in Snowbird.
“I hope we can fill out this initiative – not just for our whole community, but as key points for young people,” Robinson said. “The importance is on us now to fill out this program and fill them out well.”
Robinson added that a gap exists at the middle school level, but conversations with Robbinsville Middle School Principal Tonia Walsh has yielded support for working toward resolving the issue.
“We want to give students who are really wanting to learn the language – or further themselves in the language – the biggest opportunity possible to be able to do that,” Robinson said. “It’s important to get to them at an early language and continue to give them opportunities to learn as they get older.”
Mask mandate
The topic of students being forced to wear masks during the 2021-22 school year has drawn both outcry and support across the state.
Graham County Schools adhered to the executive order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper for the 2020-21 year, with the district taking the extra step of limiting in-person attendance and even going fully remote at one point due to a lack of staffing caused by a COVID-19 outbreak.
The board briefly discussed the matter at the July 21 meeting, noting it would follow Cooper’s guidance. That afternoon, the governor decreed that a mask mandate for the upcoming school year would be left in the control of local districts.
Superintendent Angie Knight said the board will vote on the matter Tuesday.
The Graham County Schools Facebook page is polling students about preferences toward a policy, with more than 500 responses already received. Of the replies, Knight said around 80 percent are in favor of a “optional” policy.