Virus spread concern caused school delay

The county School Board last week decided to push back the opening of schools to Monday, Aug. 24.

Previously, the targeted opening date was Aug. 17.

The board held a recessed meeting July 29 to discuss the possibility of changing the opening date, and to take care of other matters.

Superintendent Haydee Robinson opened the meeting by advising that several school board members had come to her with concerns about the existing opening date. Robinson was in agreement with regard to the rise of COVID-19 cases in Dickenson County and surrounding counties. She recommended pushing the opening date back by one week.

The board agreed unanimously.

Vice Chairman Rick Mullins advised that changing the start date would change the end date of the first semester to Friday, Jan. 15 and the end of the school year to May 28 for a 180-day school year. There were no changes to holidays or vacations from the previously approved calendar.

Robinson also advised that the board would continue to take information from the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education under consideration when the new opening date approaches.

Upon students’ arrival at school, they will be required to go to their classrooms, as there will be no permitted communal areas.

A board member questioned the precautions in place for deliveries to the schools. Robinson advised that anyone entering a school would have their temperature taken, be required to wear a mask and socially distance from other cafeteria workers. But, in the beginning of the year, all visits other than deliveries would be restricted.

Robinson reiterated that Google Chromebooks would be available to all students and should be delivered by the end of August.

Personal protective equipment kits will be provided for all students and teachers out of money from the federal CARES Act.

Meals will continue to be provided for children. The ones who attend school on Monday and Tuesday will take lunches home with them. Thursday and Friday students will take lunches home with them on Fridays. Parents are also able to pick up the lunches for the students.

According to Robinson, middle school and high school classes will be from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Elementary schools will operate from 8:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Dismissals will be either by bus number or home room, one at a time. Students will also remain on one bus for the entire trip instead of the previously used shuttle bus system.