September 21, 2020 - Governor Cooper's Announcement Last Thursday
Dear Summit Families,
Last Thursday afternoon Governor Cooper announced that elementary schools can transition school operating plans from Plan B to Plan A in Kindergarten through 5th grade (https://governor.nc.gov/news/public-schools-now-able-implement-plan-elementary-schools). This announcement means that in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade, schools are encouraged but now not required to maintain 50% occupant capacity and 6 feet social distancing in classrooms.
At Summit, we are fortunate that our small class sizes and facility capacity already enable us to offer on-campus learning for all students and still operate at 50% density measures in our classrooms. With safety and health procedures in place, we have been able to maintain on-campus learning for the first four weeks of the school year.
With this in mind, and recognizing that our small class sizes have meant that we have not been restricted by the 50% classroom density requirement that is now lifted in K-5 schools, Governor Cooper’s announcement does not change our operating plan in K-5 classrooms. We will continue our current on-campus learning plan following the existing safety and health procedures we have in place.
For further reference on what plan A means in relation to Plan B and Governor Cooper’s announcement please see below:
Under Plan A, face coverings are still required for all people on campus when 6 feet distancing cannot be maintained, and 6 feet social distancing is still required when students are in lines and when people are congregating. Under Plan A, all other safety measures remain in place. And, middle and high schools must still maintain Plan B or C measures.
Governor Cooper cited stabilizing numbers of new cases in making this decision, and State Superintendent Mark Johnson noted a recognized interest in students being able to safely return to on-campus learning. Transitioning to Plan A creates the option for schools across the state to resume on-campus learning for their full K-5 student population that previously may have been restricted in doing so because of classroom density restrictions under Plan B. Schools and local districts still maintain flexibility in choosing Plan B or C for their schools based on local conditions and needs.
The health and safety of our Summit family and the continued mission-centered education of our students continues to be our guiding principles in navigating the school year. We are grateful for the remarkable support and dedication of our Summit family in ensuring we keep these guiding principles at the forefront each day.
Please feel free to contact me, Mrs. Chalker (K-8), or Mrs. Bennett (9-11) if you have any questions.
One Summit Family,
Kurt
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