Lynchburg, Va – UPDATE
The pandemic has a lot of schools up in the air with finalizing plans.
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Tuesday night Lynchburg school leaders called for a special meeting to pick a learning option for students next month.
For three hours Lynchburg City Schools board members went back and forth on choosing three learning options.
The group ultimately voted for Option 1, the original plan, with school starting on Aug. 24 for all students.
Pre-K through 5th grades will learn in person twice a week. Sixth thru high school will be remote then transition to in-person learning in September.
New to the table — mandatory masks for those learning on school grounds.
Andrew Glover is the founder of a newly formed group called conservative parents of Lynchburg-- who believe in opening school with face to face learning and giving parents a choice.
“Were we at the same decision where we were at three days ago? Yes. But those other options were considered. I’m all for considering options. They got voted down ultimately because the school board realizing they we need to have and focus on in student learning,” Glover said.
Options 2 and 3 both called for all students to learn remotely with plans to transition to the classroom twice a week or determine the days later based on the opinion of health officials.
The issue at hand now for glover and some parents — learning in person twice a week is not enough days for the younger children.
“Pre-K through 5th grade who have been out of school since March and have a lot of learning loss? They’re not going to gain that learning loss back in two days,” Glover said.
A loss that parents hope will soon change.
“What I’d really like to see next week is looking at conditions and possibilities to get students back for four days or five days for the parents that are willing to let them,” Glover said.
School leaders want parents to remember the option is flexible.
Administrators will meet tomorrow and teachers will begin their planning on Monday.
ORIGINAL
The Lynchburg City school board voted Tuesday night to approve their original plan to reopen schools.
The plan involves PreK-5th grade students attending school in-person two days a week starting on August 24, 2020. 6th-12th grade students will participate in remote learning beginning the same day and transition to in-person learning two days a week starting September 8th. Students will either attend on Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday/Friday.
Masks will be required for those learning in school buildings.
The school board could continue their discussion on August 4th at their regular meeting.