Isle of Wight Co., VA – July 30, 2020: The School Board of Isle of Wight County approved a plan for the reopening of schools at their special called meeting today. Chairman Jackie Carr made the motion to provide parent choice at the elementary and middle school levels with 100 percent virtual learning or a blended, in person model. All high school students would begin the year with 100 percent virtual learning. The board approved the motion 3-2, with Denise Tynes and Victoria Hulick casting the dissenting votes.
Through the plan, parents of elementary and middle school students have two choices on how they want their children learning in the fall. Parents can opt for a hybrid model, where children will attend in person two days a week, either Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday, and work remotely on the remaining days. The other choice allows their child to be completely virtual for the entire first semester, still taught by teachers from IWCS.
Parents of high school students also have a choice for their children even though in person instruction is not an option at this time. They can elect for their child to participate in a completely virtual model for the entire first semester. This model may include instructors outside of Isle of Wight County Schools, such as teachers from Virtual Virginia. Otherwise, high school students will be part of remote learning for the first nine weeks. These students would be with IWCS teachers throughout that time and could return to in person learning after the first nine weeks, based on a decision by the school board. Students participating in certain Career and Technical Education programs will have an opportunity for in-person instruction in the CTE course on a hybrid schedule.
Students with disabilities in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade in the inclusion and self-contained settings will have the same options as their non-disabled peers. At the high school, students with intensive support needs in self-contained settings will follow the hybrid model available for elementary and middle school students.
Isle of Wight County Schools will hold informational meetings to discuss the reopening plan on Wednesday, August 5, at 10:00 am and 6:00pm at Georgie Tyler Middle School, and Thursday, August 6, at Westside Elementary School, also at 10:00am and 6:00pm. The meetings will be streamed live on the IWCS Facebook page and YouTube channel.
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