Raleigh – After exactly four months of anticipation, speculation and frustration, Gov. Roy Cooper finally announced plans for the upcoming school year.
At the forefront of the news conference Tuesday afternoon was Cooper’s declaration that North Carolina schools will reconvene for the 2020-21 year, albeit with numerous restrictions in-place.
“With key safety precautions, to protect our students, teachers, staff and families,” Cooper quickly added. “It’s a measured, balanced approach, that will allow children to attend, but provide important safety protocols, like fewer children in the classroom. Social distancing. Face coverings. Cleanings. And more.”
Schools will open under what Cooper has touted as “Plan B” protocols, meaning school districts will follow suit with a mixture of in-person and remote learning.
Procedures each school will be expected to adhere to are as follows:
* Face coverings will be required for each student, teacher and staff member. The state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for students, teachers and staff. A two-month supply of thermometers and medical-grade equipment have already been shipped to school nurses.
* Schools will be required to limit the number of people inside the facility, so that social distancing can be properly practiced. Alternating days or weeks will be decided at the local level.
* Daily symptom screenings – including temperature checks – will occur. If a student shows coronavirus symptoms, schools must have isolation protocols in-place, so the student can return home safely.
* Schedules must allow time for frequent hand-washing. Schools must regularly clean classrooms, restrooms, buses and equipment.
* Teachers must limit the sharing of personal items and classroom materials.
* Non-essential activity and visitors will be limited.
“In the spring – when this pandemic first broke out – we made the difficult, but necessary decision to close in-person learning at K-12 schools and move to remote learning,” Cooper said. “March feels like a long time ago, given everything we’ve been through. That was just the beginning of a series of tough decisions to slow the spread of COVID-19, that have helped our state cope and prevented our hospitals from being overwhelmed.”
Cooper did caution that if COVID-19 numbers begin to spike before school begins next month, protocols would shift to “Plan C,” or remote-learning only. “Plan C” is one school districts can choose to follow, rather than “Plan B.”
“We know schools will look a lot different this year. They have to, in order to be safe and effective,” Cooper added. “Health experts and school leaders developed these rules to protect students, teachers and families.”
County superintendent Angie Knight confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Graham will follow Plan B.
School will begin Aug. 17, but limited broadband availability will force Graham County to get creative with its remote-learning procedures.
“It’s going to be incredibly hard, but we will work as hard as we have to, in order to make it work,” Knight said.
In the coming days, Graham County Schools will contact parents with further details.
Sports?
When asked, Cooper deferred plans for athletics to the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Commissioner Que Tucker confirmed during a special Zoom meeting with media members July 8 that the association was waiting for Cooper’s decision before deciding how to proceed with fall sports, and beyond.
“We believe that education comes first; athletics is an extension of the classroom,” Tucker said July 8. “We know everyone wants a decision about whether or not fall sports will start on time. We simply cannot give you that answer at this time.”
As of Tuesday, there were 89,454 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,956 new cases reported Tuesday and 1,552 deaths, statewide.
Graham has had only 10 cases, with the last confirmation coming June 30.