A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Staff and Families:

At Thursday night’s Board meeting, during the discussion of plans for offering in-person instruction, several revised plans and timelines were discussed. These new plans address both the rising COVID numbers in our area and feedback from the Board and community that they would like to maintain the structure and success of our virtual model, especially at Buford and CHS (where a hybrid model had initially been proposed). These revised plans are also informed by community input from families who would be willing to remain online if it would enable the schools to safely offer in-person instruction for those who most need it.

Briefly, the updated plans call for:

• A return to in-person instruction for those preK-grade 2 students who selected it, with a tentative return date of January 19.
• A return to in-person instruction would be offered for students in grades 3-12 who are most in need (for example, ESL students, special education students, or students who have been struggling with attendance, engagement, socially-emotional well-being, or other.  This plan is tentatively scheduled to begin January 19 (grades 3-6) and February 1 (grades 7-12).
• At Buford and CHS, the plans for in-person instruction have now been redesigned to maintain the current structures for virtual learning. For example, at CHS, in-person students would receive in-person support during teachers’ morning office hours. (Office hours will also remain available for virtual students).
• As COVID numbers improve, we would look at the possibility of returning more students to in-person learning. Again, as another example at CHS, one possibility is to use Fridays to offer events for students whose classes benefit from hands-on activities such as urban gardening, engineering, or fine arts.
• Finally, to allow teachers to set up their classrooms and prepare to shift modes, each school would have one fully asynchronous week during January (timed at the principal’s discretion).
• Schools will be in touch with families of students in grades 3-12 to give clarity about whether students would have an immediate option for in-person learning. For any families of preK-grade 2 students who need to make a change in their selection based on these revised plans, please contact your school. 

The Board unanimously approved these updated plans. Even so, at the Board’s next meeting on January 7, Board members will review area health data and may revise these timelines accordingly. To learn more about these plans, you can review the slides presented at the Board meeting or watch the Board meeting video.

Additionally, here is related news coverage for your reference.

• NBC29 – Charlottesville Schools expand in-person learning after new year
• Daily Progress –  Charlottesville Schools revamp in-person learning plan

As we head into winter break, I want to wish you all Season’s Greetings for safe and joyful holidays.

Happy Holidays,

Dr. Rosa Atkins
Superintendent

Winter Break Food Resources for Families

During winter break, December 21, 2020 through January 1, 2021, Charlottesville City Schools nutrition staff will be taking a break from their usual meal preparation and distribution efforts.

In their place, Cultivate Charlottesville, along with a multitude of community partners, will be providing food access resources for families throughout the break. Please visit charlottesvilleschools.org/winterbreakfood to find the best food options for your family. Coming up on Monday, December 21, student meals will be distributed at various sites.  Our website also includes a number of City of Charlottesville Food Resources (English).

COVID-19 Testing Sites

The Virginia Health Department is hosting free COVID-19 testing sites hosted by TJHD and other community agencies. Note: These sites are offering free COVID PCR testing (nasal swab). TJHD and UVA are not offering antibody testing at community test sites.  Please visit the VHD website for more details on testing and a complete list of testing sites available. Questions? Call TJHD’s COVID-19 hotline at 434-972-6261 (staffed M-F 8am-4:30pm) or email at TJhealthdistrict@gmail.com

Second Response to Essential Needs Extravaganza Event provides necessities to community