We ask that students always make us aware of any illness or symptoms but especially those associated with COVID-19 as outlined in the NC StrongSchools Toolkit.  We will continue our existing protocols should a student come to school exhibiting symptoms or begin to exhibit symptoms during the school day. That student will go to an established quarantine room at the school and remain there until a parent or guardian can get them home.

Yes, bus riders will continue to complete the quarterly attestation forms. These forms will continue for the 2021-22 school year as of now unless otherwise communicated.

Monday, April 19 is when WS/FCS will move to Plan A with all students in all grades having the option to return for in-person learning four days a week.

Importantly, the move to Plan A does not change anything for our students in elementary school. Those students already have the option of in-person learning four days a week.

For our students in middle and high school, they will transition out of cohorts and those students who opt for in-person learning will return four days a week. Students who do not wish to return to in-person learning will be fully remote.

The transition out of cohorts begins Monday, April 12 when our students return from spring break. Students who attend middle and high schools with four cohorts will collapse to two cohorts. Students whose schools have two cohorts will not have any change. The week of April 12 is important as our middle and high schools prepare for the full transition to students returning four days a week starting April 19.

Students and families in middle and high school will receive communication directly from their schools regarding the transition out of cohorts to in-person learning.

Your student’s school will communicate with your family regarding your decision to return for in-person learning or to stay fully remote. Schools will require their student families to submit their decisions by April 12. If you have not received this information from your student’s school or already communicated it, please contact the school office.

Transportation options will not immediately change meaning that we will not be offering transportation for students who attend magnet or choice schools at this time.  School leaders are looking at ways to add additional routes while still complying with state transportation guidelines.  If additional routes are added you will be notified by your school.  If your student attends a magnet or choice school and requires transportation, you have the option of remaining fully remote or transferring your child to your residential or home school.

No, for planning and operational purposes, it’s critical that we establish the number of students returning for in-person learning and those remaining fully remote.

On our FLEX Wednesday, our schools will be closed to teachers and students so we can perform additional cleaning, but they are also as important for additional planning and preparation for teachers as they continue the concurrent learning process by teaching students online and in-person.  FLEX Wednesdays have also proven extremely valuable in giving teachers time to schedule conferences, small group instruction, and other things with remote students that they can’t do since all students aren’t in person every day.  Although our schools will be physically closed, FLEX Wednesdays remain instructional days and student attendance is expected.

The biggest change as we move from Plan B to Plan A is that all students, including students in middle and high school, will have the option to return to school for in-person learning four days a week.  Previously, only our youngest students had returned to school four days a week. Plan B means students were broken into cohorts, or smaller groups for learning.  More info on Plan B can be found via the NC StrongSchools Toolkit.

Yes, the district will evaluate options to add potential ridership in the coming weeks and any changes will be communicated as soon as they are available. If your student is impacted by these possible transportation changes, you will have the option to change to in-person learning.

We believe in-person learning is what’s best for most students, and we want to give our students the opportunity to return to their schools. Our district and our schools are prepared and ready.

According to the most updated version of the North Carolina StrongSchools Toolkit, Plan A means all public health requirements must continue to be followed, except the six feet physical distancing requirements required in Plan B. Under Plan A, schools will still be required to mark 6 feet of spacing and remind students to stay 6 feet apart in lines and at other times when they may congregate. Schools also will mark 6 feet of spacing to remind teachers and staff to stay 6 feet apart at times when they may congregate as well. Additionally, schools must maintain at least 6 feet of spacing between people when masks cannot be worn, for example when eating. In the classroom, we will maintain at least 3 feet of distance between students to the greatest extent possible.

For students who want to continue with fully remote learning for the next school year, they will need to enroll in the WS/FCS Virtual Academy. Individual schools will only offer traditional in-person instruction. The Virtual Academy will be open to students in all grades. Kindergarten through 8^th grade will be led by the Virtual Academy, and the new Virtual Academy high school programs will be in partnership with Kennedy High School. The Virtual Academy application period is open until April 1 for grades K-8 and April 9 for grades 9-12. Visit the Virtual Academy webpage for details.