School's out

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Students to continue virtual learning

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  • Robbinsville High School sat primped and primed for the hopeful return of students, but Friday’s statewide cancellation of the school year dashed the optimism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com
    Robbinsville High School sat primped and primed for the hopeful return of students, but Friday’s statewide cancellation of the school year dashed the optimism. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com
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Robbinsville – The worst fears of faculty and students alike were confirmed Friday, when Gov. Roy Cooper announced the statewide cancellation of the remaining 2019-20 school year.

Students were originally set to return to K-12 schools Friday, May 15, which would have ended a two-month closure. Instead, remote learning will fulfill the remainder of the curriculum.

“I am so proud of our teachers, teacher assistants, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, our parents, people who are working so hard to make sure that children can get as much remote learning as they can get,” Cooper said. “The decision to finish the year by remote learning was not made lightly, but it is the right thing to do to protect our students, teachers and communities.”

Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight was optimistic about the resumption during the April 22 Graham County Emergency Management Coordination Committee, noting that a return would be good for students’ mental health. She released a statement Friday evening about the closure.

“We know this is the right decision from a health perspective, but we will miss our students terribly,” Knight said.

Prom and graduation has not been ruled out, but a Senior Celebration Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday via drive-through at the high school. A parade through town will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Knight stressed that the school system will make every effort possible to hold both events.

Remote instruction will continue through the end of May, while meal distribution will continue “for the foreseeable future,” Knight added.

The N.C. Board of Education approved a statewide grading plan April 23 that will see K-5 students avoiding grades for this school year and middle-school students using a pass/withdraw system, while high schoolers will have an option to receive letter grades for the spring semester.

“We believe that regardless of the grading process that we owe our students the opportunity to learn new materials and practice skills that will put them in a better place academically when school starts in the fall,” Knight said. “As we begin to make further plans, we will share them with you as soon as possible.”

The House Select Committee on COVID-19 Education approved an education omnibus bill last week, which would provide waivers for state tests, teacher licenses, K-3 class-size reductions and education program requirements. The bill also includes an option for the 2020-21 school year to begin as early as Monday, Aug. 17.