CMS moves to all virtual learning for K-12 students
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The CMS Board of Education voted to move all K-12 students to virtual learning starting Monday, December 14.
The board voted 6-3. Students will return for in-person learning on January 19. Middle and high school students will have EOC tests from December 14-21 — these tests are federally mandated and can’t be waived on the state or county level.
Why now: Covid metrics are worsening. Over the last couple weeks, Mecklenburg County’s percentage of positive cases has exceeded 10 percent — the public health metric that prompted the district to consider virtual learning for all students.
Details:
- Elementary school students, who’ve been learning in-person since November 2, will move to remote learning.
- Middle and high school students were set to start in-person classes on January 5. That’s now been pushed back to January 19.
- Pre-K students will continue in-person.
- The decision will not impact students enrolled in Full Remote Academy.
- A small number of exceptional children may still have the option for in-person learning if their Individualized Education Plan requires it.
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Varying opinions: Before the Board of Education meeting a group of about 50 parents and students protested to advocate for in person learning.
Nick Foy, a CMS parent, said the data shows that schools are the safest place for kids. Foy and his wife put their younger child in private school so that she could learn in person.
“Everybody’s come out and said that our kids are safer in school, so for our board to take the other side of that, it’s almost like climate change denial at this point,” he said.
During the Tuesday night board meeting, though, teachers and some parents made passionate pleas for the board to move to all virtual learning.
“The real threat to students’ mental health will be unnecessarily losing a parent or a teacher,” said CMS teacher Meredith Fox who advocated for moving to virtual learning.
Additional changes:
- Mid-year graduation will be held virtually on January 13.
- Before and after school enrichment programs will pause while K-12 students move to all virtual learning.
- Pre-approved extra curricular activities (sports, marching band) will continue.
- Transportation is available for student exams.
- The CMS Eats at Home program will continue. Learn more about meal distribution here.
- The board also extended the unused local leave policy for school staff from December 15 to January 15, 2021.