This has been a particularly challenging week for area schools. In addition to the difficulties posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many counties were forced to close schools this past Monday, Dec. 7 due to inclement weather.
On Wednesday, Greenbrier school officials announce that schools would be transitioning to full-remote learning for the duration of this week. A decision regarding next week’s education plan will be announced after the Department of Education updates the color-coded county map on Saturday evening, Dec. 12.
Pocahontas County Schools are now in their third consecutive week of remote learning, with no end in sight. Pocahontas County Superintendent of Schools Terrence Beam had been hopeful that students would have the opportunity to return to their buildings before breaking for the holiday. However, this possibility seems less and less likely.
“We were really hoping,” Beam said. “Especially for the younger elementary students. They do a lot of fun things right before the Christmas break. It’s not looking like it will work out, but I hope I’m wrong.”
In a social media post dated Tuesday, Dec. 8, Monroe County school officials said, “A positive COVID-19 case has been confirmed for a student at Mountain View School. All those affected have been notified and are quarantined. Deep cleaning and disinfection of the affected areas have been completed.”
Releasing statements such as this have become commonplace for county schools. However, on Wednesday, Monroe County Schools released a statement that was far less common.
“Monroe County BOE voted 4 – 1 for students to return to in-seat instruction four-days per week effective second semester. Second semester begins Jan. 22. 2021. Students are currently attending two-days per week and participating in remote learning three days per week. Beginning January 22, students will attend in-person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with remote learning on Wednesdays. Roughly 71% of parents requested four-day instruction and 57% of students requested the same.”
