The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources experienced “technical difficulties” on Saturday, Jan. 23, with regard to their daily update color-coded county alert map system, leaving parents, students and educators wondering what the education-model would be for the upcoming week.
When the update finally came later Saturday evening, Greenbrier and Monroe counties both remain designated as orange, while Pocahontas County remains designated as red.
At 6.48%, the percent positive in Greenbrier County has been consistent over the last two weeks. However, at 47.81%, the county’s infection rate has declined significantly from 74.60% five days ago.
Through a post on social media, Greenbrier County school officials said, “Greenbrier County Schools will implement attendance Plan B this week. All schools will operate at 50% capacity. Students attend on a group A & B schedule as assigned by each school. Wednesday will be a remote learning day for all students.”
In an earlier post, dated Thursday, Jan. 21, Greenbrier County school officials provided additional guidance for students.
“GCS encourages all students (in-person and remote) to continue contacting their regular classroom teachers using email, Google Classroom, Google Meet and Livegrades with questions about assignments. Full-time remote students can now also access the new GCS Homework Helpline for Remote Learners, A helpline schedule and tutor contact information is available on our re-entry page at greenbriercountyschools.org. If you try calling and the line is busy please leave a message with your name and phone number and the tutor will call you back ASAP.”
The Homework Helpline is available as follows:
For elementary school students participating in remote learning, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Ms. Dils is available between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. She can be reached at 304-667-4781. Ms. Taylor is available on Mondays and Thursdays between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Ms. Taylor can be reached at 304-647-8046.
For middle and high school students participating in remote learning, Mr. Lemons is available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at 304-647-8942. Mr. Vogelson is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at 304-667-3259. Mr. Smailes is available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at 304-667-7475 and Ms. Leef is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at 304-667-3825.
In Monroe County, both infection rate and percent positive have remained stable since last week. The county’s numbers are 59.19% and 7.20% respectively.
In a social media post, dated Thursday, Jan. 21, Monroe County school officials made the following announcement:
“There will be an optional meeting that parents/guardians of virtual students in Monroe County can attend if they wish to know more about the WVLearns website. Those who participate will learn how to better navigate the webpage and their student’s courses. The training will take place from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 27.”
The link to join the meeting is available on the Monroe County Schools Facebook page.
Although Pocahontas County remains designated as red on the DHHR color-coded map, residents have begun to see an incremental decline in both infection rate and percent positive. Now at 110.86%, the infection rate is down from 123.85% five days ago, while percent positive has dropped from 15.84% to 14.45% over the same period.
Through a post on Pocahontas County High School’s Facebook page, school officials said, “We will be remote to start the week on Monday (January 25). If we happen to drop to orange any day this week we will return to school one day after the map color change. Please watch this page for updates and listen to any call messages you receive because the situation can change mid-week depending on the color of the daily map.”
On Saturday, Jan. 23, PCHS released a tentative schedule for the upcoming boys and girls basketball seasons.
The first day of practice for both girls and boys will be on Monday, Feb. 15. The girl’s teams will participate in a scrimmage at Midland Trail on Saturday, Feb. 27 and the final game of the regular season will be held at Moorefield on Saturday, April 10. The boy’s teams will begin their regular season at East Hardy on Friday, March 5. The final games of the regular season will be played at Elkins on Wednesday, April 14.
Pocahontas County High School also reminds students that Monday, Jan. 25 is the final day of the second nine-week education period. No assignments will be accepted after this date.
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