HISTORIC TRIANGLE — With increasing concerns regarding the rise of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, some families are looking into online options for their students for the 2021-2022 school year.
On Aug. 4, Williamsburg-James City County Schools (WJCC) announced that all students and staff must wear a mask indoors, regardless of their vaccination status prior to the district returning to five days a week of in-person learning this coming school year.
The decision was based on the Virginia Department of Health‘s recommendation that children within three to six feet of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 are not a close contact if both people are wearing masks.
That same day, York County School Division (YCSD) held a special county school board meeting regarding the use of masks for the school year in which members of the public, including students, parents and teachers, addressed the board with their concerns about the mandatory mask wear.
The board voted 3-2 to make masks optional. However, on Aug. 12, YCSD announced that it will comply with the State Health Commissioner’s order requiring face masks inside all K-12 public and private schools in the state.
With local school divisions making decisions regarding the mask mandate just prior to the 2021-2022 school year, some families opted to enroll their students in the Virginia Virtual Academy (VAVA).
VAVA is a tuition-free online school for students in grades K-12 throughout the Commonwealth.
For families residing in the Historic Triangle now searching for full-time alternative options for their students, VAVA is no longer accepting students.
“As of August 18, 2021, the Virginia Virtual Academy has reached its capacity to accept students for School Year 21-22 enrollment,” Suzanne Sloane, VAVA’S Head of School, said.
Sloane said that students who are residents in the Radford City, King and Queen County, Tazewell County, Wise County, Washington County, Giles County, Norton, Patrick County, Bland County, Bristol, Mecklenburg County and Salem school districts should reach out to their main school division office to enroll with VAVA through the in-district virtual learning options.
WYDaily will continue to keep you up-to-date with any developments on this story.
