The York County School Division has announced how students and staff will continue their work throughout the two-week closure.
In an email to YCSD families Saturday, Superintendent Victor Shandor addressed the recent school closures and how the community will continue to meet educational needs of students during that time.
Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday ordered all school districts in Virginia would shut down for a period of two weeks in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
During that time, YCSD will function on a “home learning” model that will provide students with educational resources.
Students in pre-kindergarten to kindergarten will be working from learning packets for their English and math schoolwork. Information on the distribution of these packets and how parents can pick them up on Monday will be shared by noon Sunday, officials said.
Students in sixth through 12th grade will have “alternative learning plans” that will be accessed through Aspen, an electronic platform, for all subjects. These students will have access to the alternative plans on Monday.
Families who have reported they do not have access to electronic divisions will be contacted by YCSD with information on how division-issued devices can be collected.
Teachers in the district will provide families with contact information and will be available to support students for home learning.
The alternating-day schedule that had been in place because of the Grafton Complex fire has been temporarily suspended and all schools are on a “continuity of learning plan” throughout the school week, officials said.
Parents should contact their schools to make arrangements for collecting medications and personal items. These should be critically essential to support home learning. Collection of these items will only be available Monday.
For students and families who rely on school lunch during the week, the division will be distributing meals-to-go bags to students for breakfast and lunch meals.
The bags will be distributed on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lots of Magruder Elementary School, York High School and Tabb High School starting Monday.
YCSD plans to have students and staff return to previously existing school schedules on March 30.
However, Shandor reminded families the plan is subject to change depending on the health of the community.
“Finally, and perhaps most importantly, please remember that these are unprecedented times,” Shandor said. “We will get through this, but it will take all of us working together and supporting each other. Please do what you need in order to take care of yourself and your families.”
For families wanting to monitor changes in the division’s plans, updated information will be posted online.
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