High school returns to all-virtual for two weeks

Things will look a little different for Ridgeview High School students over the next couple of weeks.

Late Sunday evening, a post on Dickenson County Public Schools’ Facebook page advised that all high school students would be returning to virtual learning beginning Monday, Nov. 2, with the hope they will be able to return to hybrid learning on Monday, Nov. 16.

According to the post, the school board received notification from the Virginia Department of Health that 11 RHS teachers and 19 RHS students have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are currently in quarantine.

According to schools Superintendent Haydee Robinson, all other county schools will be closely monitored for increases during this time.

“At this time, we do not have the high numbers of staff or students impacted by COVID in our other schools as we do at Ridgeview High School,” Robinson said via email.

“We understand that transitioning to 100% remote/virtual adds another significant stressor to our parents, guardians and our families,” she continued. “But, by closely following the guidance from the health department, we had no other choice to transition to 100% remote/virtual when the number of students and staff impacted by COVID is high, and the health of our children and staff is jeopardized. We will continue to keep our community informed as soon as decisions are made about our schools. We sincerely thank our parents and families for all their help and support.”

According to Facebook, all students will be required to log in to their first class at 8:15 a.m. and log in to each class daily. The current school day will be from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Students will have class each day in addition to assigned work and tests. Students will receive grades for work completed. Daily attendance will be taken.

For students who have little to no access to the internet, instruction and assigned work will be provided on flash drives on Wednesdays.

Parents/guardians with any questions are instructed to contact Ridgeview High School, your child’s teacher, principal Rodney Compton or the school board office at 276/926-4643.