The Vance County Board of Education met on July 17, 2020 in a special called meeting to consider options for the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. By a vote of 5 - 2, the board accepted the Superintendent's recommendation to begin the year under the state's Plan C fully remote option for the first nine weeks of the school year with plans to implement Plan B at the start of the second nine weeks. The district has aspirations to begin option A at the start of the second semester in January. Staff will continue to evaluate data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as well as guidance from the Granville Vance Public Health to ensure that we are making decisions in the best interest of our students and staff.
As we work to implement our Plans over the next few months, we are committed to ensuring that every student is equipped for success in whatever format we choose to operate. Very soon, we will begin sharing information with all families in preparation for the beginning of the school year. As we continue working to navigate these uncharted waters, please know that we remain committed to ensuring that our decisions are supportive of providing the safest environment possible for our students, families and community. For that reason, all athletics and extracurricular events are currently suspended until further notice.
The 2020-2021 school year promises to be one of tremendous transitions for our school system and community. As we work through our responses to COVID-19, we ask for your patience, your support and your grace.
July 15, 2020
On July 14, Governor Roy Cooper announced that all public schools in North Carolina have the option to open under Plan B this fall, which is a combination of in-person and online-learning for every student. Plan B also includes many safeguards to ensure our buildings are safe places to learn. Flexibility for each district in choosing more restrictive measures, as necessary, is also permissible at the direction of the Board of Education.
We have been planning for all options for many weeks now and have eagerly awaited the Governor’s announcement. We will now begin the process of finalizing our plans to re-open Vance County Schools safely for our students and staff Our efforts have included gaining insight from surveys completed by our families, both staff and students, as well as focus groups, allowing us to hear their voices on the upcoming school year.
The Board of Education will meet to discuss re-entry plans and determine whether the district begins with Plan B, or takes a more restrictive approach with Plan C.
Remote-Learning Option for Plan B
VCS families have the opportunity to choose remote learning as an option for their child(ren), even during Plan B. This will occur through a student's assigned school. This option would be available for the duration of time that our district is operating under Plan B. Additional information on the process will be shared on each school’s website within 5 business days of an official announcement by the Vance County Board of Education.
Vance Virtual Village Academy
Another option for families is our newest Innovative School, Vance Virtual Village Academy. This K-12, online school is designed for those seeking to remain part of a virtual program for a minimum of one school year. Each student has a personalized learning plan, providing pathways towards demonstrating mastery in unique and exciting ways. The application period is open through July 31 and available on the Vance County Schools website.
As always, our top priority will be the safety of everyone in our school system. The re-entry plan was shared with our Board of Education at the July 6, 2020 meeting. They will now reconvene July 17 at 11am to make a final decision on how to begin the 2020-2021 school year. The meeting will be live-streamed on our website, www.vcs.k12.nc.us.
Thank you for your support of Vance County Schools.
July 8, 2020
Vance County Schools Unveils Framework of Re-Opening Plans
Vance County Schools, along with every other school district in the state, was instructed to develop three plans in preparation for the 2020-2021 school year. Plan A, with minimal social distancing, Plan B, with moderate social distancing and Plan C, as complete remote learning. Our district plans were developed with input from parents and staff through online surveys and on-going discussions with district leaders and principals at each of our schools.
Having already having established Plan A and Plan C, Vance County Schools has worked diligently on developing a framework for Plan B in preparation for the governor’s announcement regarding schools.The Vance County Board of Education reviewed each of the plans, along with the survey data from both staff and our families, approving the district moving forward with the framework planning.
Plan A permits all students to return to the building, but large group settings would be avoided. Social distancing and face coverings are still required.
Plan B is the blended instructional model, consisting of two groups. Group 1 includes students in grades K-3 and 9-12, meeting for face-to-face instruction every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with remote instruction on Thursday and Friday. Group 2 includes students in grades 4-8 who will have remote instruction on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with face-to-face instruction on Thursday and Friday. Classrooms would have fewer students in each room and face coverings are required.
Plan C has all students engaging in remote instruction, five days a week.
Our district is committed to ensuring that all students receive instruction Monday through Friday, facilities are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, wellness checks take place daily, face coverings are worn and students receive meals. We are committed to meeting the needs of our students, regardless of the plan our district pursues.
One school that will not need to await the state’s decision is Vance Virtual Village Academy (V3), our newest Innovative School in Vance County. V3 is a K-12 virtual school, allowing students to complete their education online with a personalized plan developed for each. Innovative instruction, enrichment and athletic opportunities will be available. V3 requires a one-year commitment from those accepted into the school. The design is set to outlast the COVID pandemic and provide another option for our community, meeting the needs of our families.
Governor Cooper’s announcement will guide the schools as a whole, indicating the least restrictive plan that districts may use; however, individual districts, with board approval, can activate a more restrictive plan based on local health data. Once that information is released, our Board of Education will reconvene to make the final action on what plan Vance County Schools will begin for the 2020-2021 school year.
View our chart, Understanding the Plan, to see the differences in Plan A, Plan B and Plan C.
July 6, 2020
View the July 6, 2020 Reopening update that was shared at the July 6 Board of Education meeting. To view, click July 6 Reopening Update.
July 1, 2020
Press Release from Gov. Cooper
See the latest from Gov. Roy Cooper on education and the work being done to get our students back in the classroom.
https://governor.nc.gov/news/north-carolina-continue-working-toward-getting-students-back-classroom
