The rising number of coronavirus cases in the Historic Triangle has prompted one school division to change its students learning schedule.
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools announced Thursday to families and staff most students will learn remotely starting on Monday through at least Jan. 11.
“According to the Peninsula Health Department’s daily locality metric, James City County has seen increases in cases for the last 36 consecutive days,” WJCC Public Schools Superintendent Olwen Herron wrote. “Additionally, WJCC Schools has been at both the higher and highest risk level for transmission over the last five days based on CDC school metrics.”
Herron noted in the past week, seven students and staff members tested positive for the virus while others told WJCC Schools they are quarantining because their friend or family member tested positive.
“This data cannot be ignored,” Herron added. “For the safety of our staff and students, it forces us to pivot our instructional operations once again.”
While most of the student population will learn remotely, some students such as the special education and English Language students, will continue to learn on site until winter break.
In addition, WJCC Schools will offer “in-person learning supports for designated students” in middle and high school.
“Remaining in a remote learning environment maintains an instructional routine and provides stability for students, especially our youngest learners,” Herron wrote. “Furthermore, it allows families to make longer-term childcare plans and arrangements for consistent live, synchronous learning rather than jumping back and forth between Paths and learning methods over the next two weeks.”
“We will continue to monitor data and consult with health department experts as we plan beyond January 11.”
According to the WJCC’s COVID-19 Dashboard, which was last updated Thursday, there have been 22 positive coronavirus cases among staff and four student cases since July 1.
The latest numbers for the Peninsula Health District, including the Historic Triangle area are below, courtesy of the Virginia Department of Health’s COVID-19 Dashboard:
YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THESE STORIES:
- WJCC Schools has three times the state average of homeless students
- Homeless kids and virtual learning: How local schools are addressing the need for food, resources during the coronavirus
- Rising COVID-19 cases in the region: WJCC is requiring all students to learn remotely after the holiday breaks
- Virtual learning: WJCC families can opt-out –– not into –– the virtual learning academy
- WJCC Schools report first student COVID-19 positive case; one class returns to remote learning
- COVID-19 scare: Warhill High School shuts down for two weeks
