Following Governor Cooper’s announcement today regarding North Carolina Public Schools, Alexander County Schools released the following statement.
“Today, Governor Cooper announced that schools can open under a Plan A option of in-person instruction for all PreK – 5th-grade students, effective October 5th, 2020. Alexander County Schools will be intentional and thoughtful in the decisions for our students, staff, and families returning to school under a Plan A option for PreK through 5th grades. We will continue to follow health and safety guidelines provided by DHHS, as well as survey our teachers, key staff members, and parents to determine when and how to transition back into the school buildings.
“Plan A as established in the StrongSchools NCToolkit (last dated 9.17.20), outlined the return to school with minimal social distancing with all students in school at the same time. An expectation will stay in place for all students and staff to continue to wear cloth face coverings, maintain 6 feet of social distance in hallways and other spaces outside of the classrooms when possible, and wash hands frequently. Screening protocols will continue such as taking temperatures upon entrance into our buildings.
“As a district, we know that we have to look at many aspects of transitioning students back into the schools safely. Cleaning protocols, meal preparation and distribution, transportation, potential class reassignments due to increased capacity, availability of substitute teachers, additional supplies including PPEs for staff are some of the considerations that will have to be addressed prior to setting a plan in place for Pre K – 5th-grade students to return under Plan A.
“We are in the process of creating surveys for staff and parents to determine what will be needed to return our Pre K through 5th-grade students at 100% capacity. Thank you for your patience during this planning process. Please be prepared to provide your input with those surveys,”