ASHEBORO - While elementary schools across Asheboro have been inviting students back to the classroom over the last several months, the district will officially transition into Plan A on Monday, March 22, four days a week for grades K-5.
“We are extremely excited to ‘officially’ have K-5 students back in our classrooms under Plan A,” said Dr. Aaron Woody, superintendent of Asheboro City Schools. “Since the beginning of the 20-21 school year, we have been working daily towards this goal. It’s important to remember, we have been offering in-person learning under Plan B. However, moving into Plan A is a significant milestone. At this point, we are confident in our abilities to serve more students, four days a week, while also mitigating COVID-19 in school communities,” he added.
Asheboro City Schools will continue to utilize guidance provided in the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit. This living document was created by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction last summer to help school administrators navigate school operations in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic. This document continues to be updated as state officials learn more about the implications of COVID-19 and its impact on school communities.
“The latest iteration of the toolkit strongly encourages schools to bring K-5 students back to the classroom to the greatest extent possible. As of now, we have approximately 25 percent of students enrolled in remote learning through our ACCESS Ed program. With these students not in the classroom, in most classrooms, we are able to accommodate the social distancing recommendations,” said Woody.
ACS students currently enrolled in ACCESS Ed wishing to attend school in Plan A should call their school’s principal by Friday, March 12. Please be sure to let the principal know if transportation will be needed for the student.
Across the Asheboro community, the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and percent positive of those tested continues to decline. In addition, within the first two weeks of being able to get vaccinated, an overwhelming majority of ACS teachers and staff have expressed interest in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The district would like to publicly thank community partners Randolph Health and Prevo Drug for hosting vaccination clinics for ACS staff and faculty.
“Safety is always our number one priority. It has been since the beginning of COVID-19 and it continues to be now. While we know we are not in ‘post-pandemic’ times, we are hopeful for the light at the end of the tunnel. Numbers are decreasing, staff are getting vaccinated, and we know that at the end of the day in-person learning is what is the very best for our students. We are looking forward to March 22.”
The district decided to start Plan A on March 22, one week before their scheduled Spring Break (March 29 - April 5). The week of March 22 will allow schools and administrators to work through any unanticipated challenges.