On March 11, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper signed into law Senate Bill 220: The Reopen Our Schools Act of 2021. In response to this action, the Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education approved the recommendation of Superintendent Dr. Freddie Williamson for PSRC students grades Pre-K – 8th to return to the classroom for in-person instruction four days a week under ‘Plan A’ guidelines beginning on April 12, 2021. The recommendation was approved during a special called meeting of the Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education that took place on Thursday, March 25, 2021.
- PSRC students grades Pre-K – 8th will have the option to report to their school for in-person synchronous learning Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- Asynchronous remote teaching and learning will take place every Friday.
- All students will report weekly as there is no longer an A week and B week schedule.
- It is important to remember that ALL Public Schools of Robeson County students have the option to remain in remote learning until the end of the academic year.
- The deadline for opting in or opting out of remote learning is April 12, 2021.
- No changes will be allowed to be made after this date.
Students will adhere to three feet physical distancing guidelines set in place by requirements of the NCDHHS StrongSchoolsNC Public Health toolkit while in their respective classrooms and on the school bus when possible. While traveling through the school building, all students are expected to maintain physical distancing of six feet. Before and after school care will not take place. Additional desk shields and physical distance signage is being ordered for each school and will be installed before April 12, 2021.
Overview of Plan A in PSRC:
- Plan A does not require schools to reduce the usual number of students in the classroom.
- Plan A does not require physical distancing on school buses.
- PSRC will continue daily symptom and temperature screenings/checks for all students and any person who enters a school building.
- Parents and visitors will not be allowed to enter school buildings at this time.
- All students must wear face coverings in school and on school buses. All staff must wear face coverings in school buildings and offices.
- PSRC will continue to provide PPE face coverings for students, teachers, and staff if needed.
Transportation: The Public Schools of Robeson County will ensure that all students ages four years and older will wear face coverings at all times while they are on a school bus. North Carolina school districts have the flexibility for maximum capacity (72 students) on school buses. However, parents should expect our district to follow the recommendations as feasible.
Child Nutrition: All Public Schools of Robeson County cafeterias will remain closed. Students will be served individually packaged meals in their classroom. Friday meal service for remote learning students or children ages one-three will be curbside. It will consist of a seven-day meal bundle. Friday meal service for in-person students will consist of a three-day bundle. High School Child Nutrition services will remain the same.
Recess/Physical Education: Recess will be staggered in small groups for students. Teachers will choose physical education activities that limit the use of shared equipment and any close contact between students. If playground equipment is used, it must be disinfected after each class usage.
High School Information
All high school students (grades 9 -12) will continue in ‘Plan B’ operating on an AA (Monday and Tuesday) BB (Thursday and Friday) in-person synchronous learning schedule with asynchronous remote teaching and learning taking place every Wednesday. High school students will continue to be required to wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing guidelines. All staff will continue to be required to wear face coverings in school buildings and offices.
Synchronous Teaching/Learning Day
Synchronous Remote Learning Day is intended to operate in real time on the Remote Learning schedule providing students with required login times. The expectations and rigor will mirror face-to-face instruction, and virtual students will have a full school day and be required to participate in face-to-face synchronous learning. Common methods of synchronous online learning include video conferencing, teleconferencing, live chatting, and live-streamed lectures that must be viewed in real time.
Asynchronous Teaching/Learning Day
Asynchronous learning day does not require real-time interaction; instead, content is available online for students to access when it best suits their schedules, and assignments are completed to deadlines. Common methods of asynchronous online learning include self-guided lesson modules, pre-recorded video content, virtual libraries, lecture notes, and online discussion boards or social media platforms.