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Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) officials are still working out details on how the upcoming school term will work. Yet, they are getting close, and according to superintendent Robbie Mason, he plans to release a full outlay of plans at the beginning of next week.

Mason said this week following a meeting with a group of parents, teachers, school board members, administrators, and the school nurse coordinator to explore options for reopening school that there will be an at-home instruction option for students who do not wish to return to the physical school building. 

“We will have an option where students can remain at home and receive 100% remote instruction from their CCPS teachers and options for returning to school in person on certain days during the week,” Mason said. “For remote learners, we understand that not all families have reliable internet at home; so, we are exploring options for providing instruction that can be accessed without internet.”

Having to adhere to social distancing guidelines for schools and buses is a big part of developing plans. “This greatly restricts the number of students allowed on a bus or in the classroom,” Mason said.   

Mason said CCPS plans to host community meetings to provide information to parents and answer questions that they may have once the plans are fully developed.

Gov. Northam’s reopening plan includes opening schools in a phased approach that allows schools to slowly resume in-person classes for summer school and the coming academic year.

“School reopening will be based on the Forward Virginia phases set forth by the governor,” Mason said. “We are currently in Phase 2. Phase 2 allows for students in Pre-K through three to return to school for in-person instruction.”

Phase 3 allows for all students to return to school. Phase 2 and 3 offer In-person instruction priority to students with disabilities and English Language Learners. Social distancing (six-foot separation) must be in place for all classrooms and school buses in Phases 2 and 3.

Cafeterias and other commonly used areas must be occupied by no more than 50 people at any given time. Remote learning will be an option for students in both phases.

Beginning with Phase 2, local divisions and private schools must submit plans to the Virginia Department of Education that include policies and procedures for implementing the Virginia Department of Health and CDC mitigation strategies.