New Kent to begin hybrid instruction in November; Charles City remaining virtual until January

As school districts continue to weigh the metrics on returning to in-person instruction, even the neighboring counties have a different way of evaluating when it’s safe to bring students back into the environment.

New Kent County Schools will begin phasing kindergartners and first graders back into buildings starting in November, while Charles City County Schools will continue virtual learning after respective meetings held Monday and Tuesday night.

In New Kent, the discussion to bring kindergartners back as part of Cohort 2 took place at their Oct. 6 regular school board meeting. With additional metrics provided by the Chickahominy Health Department and discussion on class sizes, school board members passed the measure 4-1 to begin the hybrid plan.

Kindergartners would receive virtual orientation from Nov. 2-6. On November 9, they will enter into the physical school building for the first time. First graders will follow the week of Nov. 16.

Additional cohorts for the older grade levels are still to be determined. According to New Kent Superintendent of Schools Brian Nichols, the plan is to see how each group is doing before allowing an additional cohort to enter the school building. In a survey by the school system, approximately 71 percent of respondents wanted the return of in-person learning.

Movements will be minimized in the school building as lunch will take place in classrooms and recess will have parameters. Daily health and temperature screenings will be taken upon arrival.

In Charles City, the decision to phase students back into buildings will be reevaluated in January after school boards members voted 4-0 for the measure.

At Tuesday night’s regular school board meeting, several instructors spoke about their safety and well-being around in-person learning. While roughly 54 percent said they would return if asked, 32 percent responded that they would be uncomfortable in the physical environment. In a survey of upper level students and their comfort to returning to in-person instruction, 71 percent favored the return with proper mitigation.

However, school board members were also concerned about the elderly population within the county.

“The average age of a citizen in Charles City is 67.5 years old,” said District 3 representative Martha Harris. “Those are the most vulnerable people to the Coronavirus and many of these households are blended and deal with interaction with the elderly.”

District 1 representative Joy Harris said that no matter what decision the school board makes, there would be some people that do not agree with it.

“I understand about the connectivity problems in the county and I want my child to go back to school,” she said. “But I also think about the high-risk that are involved and have to address this issue as a school board member.

“I am disappointed that we didn’t get as many responses to our survey nor did we have any parents speak on the issue tonight,” Joy Harris continued, pointing to 289 responses out of nearly 600 issued to parents of students in the school system. “We heard from the teachers and their concerns. If the parents want their kids back in school, they need to come out and speak up.”

Charles City County Schools will have two exceptions to students on campus grounds. Special needs students with Individualized Education Plans that call for one-to-one or other select services will continue to have the option face-to-face. The other group of students that will be allowed to be on campus will be student-athletes who plan to participate in sports and activities. According to Charles City County High School Athletic Director Andre’ Jones, the students will be brought back in cohorts on an approved schedule and time as organized by the coaches and athletic department, be screened for temperature and symptoms, and must have transportation to and from the facility.