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A selected group of Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) students began in-person instruction in a hybrid manner Monday, Oct. 5.

According to CCPS Superintendent Robbie Mason, the decision to offer hybrid in-person learning to select grades was done due to the number of decreased COVID-19 cases seen the past few weeks in the county and because the selected groups represent the school system’s most vulnerable learners.

On Monday, hybrid in-person instruction began for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, sixth grade, ninth grade, special education students (all grade levels), and English language learners (all grade levels).

All other grade levels will begin hybrid, in-person instruction Monday, Oct. 19 and will remain in the virtual leaning status until that time.

According to Mason, the decision to bring back a selected group of students earlier than others was done because they would benefit most by starting two weeks earlier than others.

“These groups were selected to attend in-person beginning Oct. 5 because they represent our most vulnerable learners and will benefit most from starting two weeks earlier than other groups,” Mason said. “Allowing sixth graders and ninth graders to acclimate to their new schools without other students being present will help them tremendously with their transition.”

When all students return to in-person instruction on Oct. 19, schools will be closed to students on Fridays and students will continue with remote instruction at home on Fridays.

On Monday, Oct. 5, the Piedmont Health District was reporting 142 total cases for Charlotte County since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. That number jumped significantly over five days from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5, with 35 cases reported in the five-day period.

Mason said CCPS would continue to work with the Piedmont Health District to stay up to date on cases.