Fairfax County Public Schools is asking parents to decide by Wednesday, July 15 whether they want their children to return to school this fall virtually or in-person a few days per week.
If parents don’t make a choice, FCPS will choose for them, and that choice will be for in-person learning.
FCPS officials wrote on the school system’s website: “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is planning to reopen schools in September. If there is a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus that requires a closure of schools, FCPS is prepared to provide all students with online distance learning.”
Parents should make their choice assuming their choice will remain in place for the entire school year. “If health conditions improve that would allow FCPS to resume in-person instruction for all students, we would reassess FCPS’s operating status at that time,” FCPS officials wrote.
Arlington Public Schools announced Tuesday afternoon that the Superintendent will propose delaying the start of the school year until Tuesday, Sept. 8 (the day after Labor Day) and wants students to attend virtually for the first several weeks of the school year, following a model similar to Montgomery County Public Schools.
“Throughout our planning, the health and safety of our staff and students has been our top priority, and beginning the year with a virtual model allows us to continue to monitor the situation until we are confident it is safe to return. With this proposed change, our teachers and staff will return as scheduled on August 24, so that we can devote more time and resources to professional learning, to ensure they are well prepared to provide a robust full-time distance learning program that supports all students,” Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Francisco Durán wrote in a letter to parents.
The plan removes some of the challenges of staffing that Fairfax County and other public school systems are facing with figuring out which teachers can teach in person and which need to continue teaching virtually due to health concerns.
The Fairfax Education Association, the largest educator’s union in Fairfax County, is encouraging teachers to request virtual learning to protect their own health and safety and that of students and the larger community.
Alexandria City Public Schools recently sent a survey to parents requesting input on the factors that would lead them to choose in-person or virtual. ACPS parents will be receiving more information on the proposal in the coming weeks.
In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Ralph Northam acknowledged this is not an easy decision for parents, educators or local school boards. Physical distancing will be a critical component, and local school boards need to make their own decision about what will work for their teachers, staff, students and community.
"Schools from K through 12 to higher education must be aware of the health data in their locality and be prepared to shift their plans as needed," Northam said.
Update on Coronavirus Trends
Northam also noted on Tuesday afternoon that COVID-19 cases are increasing statewide. The percentage of positive tests is inching up and is now at 6.8 percent. While the state is well below the 10 percent positivity rate that might trigger significant changes, the trend is disheartening.
Northern Virginia’s percent positivity is 6.7 percent. Much of the increase in positive cases is coming from the Hampton Roads area, where the percent positivity has increased to 10.1 percent, indicating substantial community spread. The increase is most pronounced among people ages 20 to 29 who are socializing without masks.
“I want to reassure Virginians that we are not seeing spikes like Florida or Texas. But we don’t live in a vacuum,” Northam said. He said there is a chance that the size of gatherings could be reduced and other policy decisions may be made to reduce community spread.
If virus numbers start to increase in the Northern Virginia region, there is a chance that schools that are planning to open in September would have to shut down again.
