Gov. Roy Cooper has announced that NC public schools will open in the fall for both in-person and remote learning with precautions put in place, as well as extended NC’s Phase 2 order to August 7.
As a part of the plan, schools can provide a remote learning option for any child who chooses it. In addition, school districts will have the option of Plan C – all remote learning.
Here is what we are looking at with the modified Plan B:
- Face coverings will be required for every teacher, staff member, and student from kindergarten through high school. The state will provide at least five reusable face coverings for every student, teacher, and staff member.
- Schools will be required to limit the total number of people in buildings so that 6 feet of distancing is possible, for example, when students are seated or in line. Districts and schools can use a plan that works for them – whether it’s alternating days or weeks or some other strategy.
- Symptom screenings, including temperature checks, will take place daily before children enter school buildings.
- Schools must create a way to isolate students who have symptoms and ensure that they can get home safely.
- Schedules must allow time for frequent hand washing and schools will regularly clean classrooms, bathrooms, buses and equipment.
- Teachers will work to limit the sharing of personal items and classroom materials.
- Nonessential visitors and activities involving outside organizations will be limited.
- Schools will discontinue the use of self-service food or beverage distribution.
With those, schools are also recommended to implement other safety precautions such as:
- One-way hallways and entrances
- Keeping students in small groups that stay together as much as possible
- Eating lunch in the classroom if the cafeteria doesn’t allow for social distancing
- Suspending activities that bring together large groups such as assemblies
- Installing physical barriers, such as plexiglass at reception desks and similar areas
If trends spike and the in-person learning cannot be done safely even with these safety protocols, then remote learning will be put into place.
Learn more about this here.