The parental reaction to Lenoir County Public Schools reopening plan has sparked a planned protest and an online petition. There is also support for their decision.
All in Education
LCPS to reopen with a minimum of nine weeks of virtual instruction
The Lenoir County Board of Education decided Monday night that all students will begin the 2020-2021 school year as remote learners and, after the first nine weeks, the district’s youngest students could transition to in-person instruction provided certain public health metrics are met.
LCPS chooses Plan B beginning with at least 9 weeks of remote learning
The Lenoir County Public School board voted on a hybrid option of Governor Cooper’s Plan B guidelines to reopening public school. W.D. Anderson made a motion for, “I move that Lenoir County Public Schools start the 2020/21 school year under Plan B - Transition, with the first 9 weeks virtual instruction. In-person instruction to begin with grades Pre-K through 2 and students with special needs in the second nine weeks, pending a two-week decline in COVID cases and a 5% or less positive testing rate for 14 days prior to the first day of in-person instruction, as reported by the Department of Public Instruction for Lenoir County.” The motion was seconded by Elijah Woods and passed by a 4-3 margin.
Jones County Board of Education unanimously approves ‘Plan B’ for reopening schools
Jones County Board of Education unanimously approves ‘Plan B’ for reopening schools on August 17th. The Board of Education gathered information from their teachers, as well as the parents in the community, to create a hybrid model that incorporates both state and federal safety guidelines. Social distancing will be enforced with all classrooms set up with desks 6 feet apart. Masks will be provided and required for all students and staff with times available for masks to be removed.
Lenoir County Board of Education to review plan to reopen schools in meeting July 27
A special meeting of the Lenoir County Board of Education is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 27 to discuss plans to reopen schools for the 2020-21 school year.
Parrott Academy to reopen in August
Arendell Parrott Academy is preparing to reopen for on-campus classes on August 24. Located in Kinston, the school last year served approximately 670 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Head of School Brooks Sutton has appointed a health advisory task force which includes two physicians who are infectious disease specialists, a regional hospital administrator, and a full-time school nurse. “We are guided by our parents’ and students’ strong desire for a return to our classrooms,” Sutton stated.
LCPS announces 2020-21 Teacher, Principal of the Year
Lenoir County Public Schools announced their annual awards, including 2020-21 Teacher and Principal of the Year.
Two Jr Beta Club National Champions hail from Greene County Middle School
On Friday, July 17, the National Jr Beta Club released the winners of their first-ever National Jr Beta Virtucon. Rylee Greene and Harlee Murray had plans to attend the conference in person but due to the school shutdown in March, they were unable to. Fortunately, they were able to represent North Carolina and Greene County at the Virtucon and became the National Champions in the Technology Competition. Out of over 400 submissions, Greene and Murray’s submission was chosen as the best in the nation. This represents the very first time Greene County Middle School has ever attended the National Convention and has ever placed in the competition.
State leaders respond to Governor Cooper's school reopening plan
After Governor Cooper unveiled his plan for K-12 education on Tuesday, locally-elected state leaders including Rep. John Bell, Sen. Jim Perry and Rep. Chris Humphrey shared their concerns. One of the most notable frustrations is the Governor’s lack of including the General Assembly in the state’s Covid-19 response.
North Carolina public schools will open in August
Governor Roy Cooper announced on July 14 that North Carolina public schools will open in August with fewer children in the classroom, utilizing social distancing, face coverings, and frequent cleanings.
Governor Cooper to address plans for K-12 education on Tuesday at 3:00 pm
Governor Cooper is scheduled to hold a press conference online on July 14 at 3:00 p.m. He plans to share his decision on whether public school students in North Carolina will resume in-person education, if they will continue to utilize online learning or a blend of both.
Local Students Lauded as WCC Standouts
Wayne Community College has recognized its top students of the 2019-2020 academic year. Sixty-seven students were honored with 80 awards.
Virtual summer school boosts students’ skills, LCPS’s remote learning practices
The school bell rang – albeit virtually – for nearly 450 elementary students on Monday as LCPS launched its Jump Start summer learning program.
Four schools get new principals for 2020-21
Retirements and promotions have led to reassignments of LCPS administrators that will put new principals at four Lenoir County schools for the 2020-2021 academic year.
LCC AAMC to open fall semester
Lenoir Community College Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Center (AAMC) will officially open its doors at the Global Transpark.
Kinston student receives LGFCU scholarship
Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) proudly congratulates, Susana Sualevai who is the recipient of an LGFCU Scholarship Award.
North Carolina to continue working toward getting students back in the classroom
Governor Roy Cooper today shared that North Carolina will continue working with schools, teachers, parents, and health experts to ensure that plans for school this coming year will protect everybody, especially those at high-risk.
Taking a victory lap: Bright retires from APA
Tuesday, June 30 closed out Dr. Bert Bright’s lengthy career at Arendell Parrott Academy as he retired from the Headmaster position he has held since 2014. Teachers joined the office, housekeeping, and maintenance staff in cheering a “victory lap” that Bright took in a top-down Jeep, circling the campus that he has so powerfully shaped.
Gray retires from LCPS after over four decades of service
After 43 years and 9 months, LCPS Exeptional Children Administrative Assistant, Judy Gray, has retired! To celebrate her long service friends and family gathered at her home for a celebration.
Aliza Matthews of Kinston named to James Madison University president's list
Kinston resident, Aliza Matthews, has been named to the president's list at James Madison University for the spring 2020 semester.