Some special education students are exception
In a news release the day before Thanksgiving, Chesterfield County Public Schools announced a pause in in-person instruction in school buildings through the end of the first semester, Jan. 29.
Certain special education students are not subject to the pause.
The decision was due to a dramatic development in COVID-19 data. The 25 cases per 100,000 people per day standard was breached Nov. 25 when it rose to 26.5. The rolling seven-day average of cases had been 13.2 per 100,000 a month before, according to the release. In addition, the coronavirus test positivity rate had risen to 8.3 percent.
As of noon Saturday, Nov. 28, the school district’s post about the change on Facebook had generated 628 comments.
Some thanked CCPS for making the decision and some were upset. Others didn’t understand and were asking questions.
Kirsten Leftwich Sutherlin said she wanted to “understand the difference between public schools and private schools. They aren’t shutting, they aren’t doing virtual learning. So just because they pay for their educations, they can still do in-person learning? What are you all doing other than ruining our children’s educations?”
In response, Mika-Tache St. Fleur said the difference between public and private schools is common sense.
“It isn’t about money, but typically they have lower enrollment [numbers], whereas Chesterfield has to think about a whole population … not just your kids.”
Jordan Langley said, “CCPS knew they were going to shut schools down and waited patiently until today [Nov. 25] to announce it when most working parents are off for the holiday and can’t make the proper arrangements for child care, etc. Also, did teachers have time to prepare and not use their holiday time?”
Sandie Walker Jones, who said she is a CCPS teacher, noted that they did not have forewarning and did not have time to prepare to return to all-virtual instruction. “I have spent countless hours preparing hybrid lessons for my students’ return after Thanksgiving. Now I will redo my CANVAS [web-based learning system] page for [the]third time and plan all weekend for virtual learning.”
Robyn Lowry said that the school district sent an e-mail “over a week ago” telling parents that the pause was coming. “They explained the 25 [cases per 100,000]tipping point, and how we were headed straight for it,” she said. “Did you not get that e-mail? Most parents started preparing then.”
Amanda Kent asked, “If going to school is so dangerous, why hasn’t a single CCPS school had to close due to an outbreak? Seems [as if]CCPS has done a great job following protocols and kids and staff are likely more safe at school than restaurants, grocery stores, churches, etc.”
Zach Penney noted that both Bon Air and O.B. Gates elementary schools had cases and said this meant that the coronavirus was being spread in schools.
In conclusion, on Nov. 26 Felicia Johnson Perry said, “No doubt this has been a roller coaster of a year, but one thing that has helped my children roll with the punches is my (and my husband’s) attitude and approach to this. We gave them a choice about returning to hybrid [learning], with the condition that we would pull them if we felt it was necessary. We told them last week that it would probably be their last school day based on the rising numbers. We told them today that they will return to 100 percent virtual … and they are disappointed … a little …. do they understand? Yes. And next week, we will continue to roll with the punches…”
