The state guidelines CMS followed in preparing its reopening plans are designed to protect the health of students and staff while offering the best possible learning environment for students. Districts throughout North Carolina were tasked with developing one plan to address improved COVID conditions (plan A), one plan to address moderate COVID conditions (plan B) and one plan to address a significant worsening of COVID conditions (plan C). In all plans, a remote-learning option may be selected by parents who have concerns about sending their students to school during continued pandemic conditions.
As we prepare for in-person instruction, the safety, health and well-being of our students is a top priority for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. As we navigate COVID-19 together, CMS remains committed to facilitating growth and new opportunities all the while ensuring access to quality education. We want students and families to know what they can expect when they arrive at school. This guide will help families better prepare for health and safety practices, as well as family and student expectations for in-person instruction.
Elementary School In-person Instruction_Spanish.pdf
CMS Phased Return to In-person Instruction Middle School Presentation - November 2020.pdf
CMS Phased Return to In-person Instruction Elementary School Presentation - October 2020.pdf
Plan A will require all students and staff to return to school for in-classroom learning. This is the least restrictive plan and the one most similar to school openings in prior years. Health and Human Services requirements will be followed, including health screenings and temperature checks for students and staff, and social distancing in hallways and common areas. Symptom screenings and health attestations will be required for use of school transportation.
Under plan B, students will participate in a mix of in-classroom and remote learning. From an operational and academic standpoint, this plan will enable the most students to have a balance of in-classroom and remote learning while maintaining student and staff health and safety.
Pre-K students whose families chose to have them participate in in-person instruction returned to school Oct. 12.
K-5 students will be assigned to Group A or Group B. Group A students will attend in-person instruction Monday and Tuesday each week, beginning as early as Monday, Nov. 2. Students assigned to Group B will attend in-person instruction Thursday and Friday each week, beginning as early as Thursday, Nov. 5. For all K-5 students, Wednesdays will be remote-learning days.
Students in grades 6-8 will attend in-classroom learning Monday-Friday during their assigned week, followed by two weeks of remote learning; one-third of each grade will attend their assigned schools in A week, a different one-third will attend in B week, and the remaining third will attend during C week. In-person instruction for grades 6-8 is scheduled to begin as early as Monday, Nov. 23.
Students in grades 9-12 will attend school in-person for testing the week of Dec. 14, 2020. Beginning in the second semester (Jan. 2021), grades 9-12 will follow an A, B, C schedule, attending in-classroom learning Monday-Friday during their assigned week, followed by two weeks of remote learning.
Plan C will offer a remote-learning environment for all students, with all staff assigned to remote instruction. No students or staff will be in CMS facilities or use CMS transportation. CMS plans a robust remote-learning experience, using best practices learned in the fourth quarter of the last school year.
CMS will communicate additional details about the plan, including classroom social-distancing procedures, transportation practices and bus routes, school and classroom sanitation policies, nutrition services procedures, technology distribution and availability, state-mandated health/safety checks and temperature screenings. Parents are encouraged to update their contact information with their schools to ensure they receive this timely information.
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