Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff:
Although the school year just ended, I understand that many of you are interested in our plans for 2020-2021. While we are eager for our students and staff to return, we must do it safely and responsibly. As a result, I am pleased to announce that our newly formed Return to Learn Task force is spearheading this important and unprecedented work.
Our Return to Learn Task Force is comprised of approximately 100 stakeholders, including teachers, support staff, principals, division leaders, curriculum specialists, parents, students, community members, and others. They are evaluating a multitude of complex considerations in conjunction with the official guidance provided by the Governor of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Department of Health that will help illuminate this work. Below are just a few examples of these considerations:
- Face-to-face learning
- Online learning
- Hybrid learning (face-to face and online)
- Transportation
- Meal service
- Social distancing and cleaning requirements
- Access to technology
- Group activities and electives (i.e., athletics, the arts, Career and Technical Education, physical education, etc.)
This is an extraordinary undertaking that will require significant time, effort, thought, and careful planning. Throughout this process, our primary focus will be upon making decisions that we believe will best serve our students and their families, and we take this seriously. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience as we await the task force’s recommendations. We will, of course, share more details with you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Gill
Superintendent of Schools