Heather Bell
RADFORD – Radford High and Dalton Intermediate schools returned to in-person learning
Monday, rather than returning to classrooms after spring break as was announced last week.
The switch to all-virtual learning occurred after several student athletes and other students tested positive for COVID-19.
“We are so excited to announce that we will be returning to in-person learning much earlier than anticipated at [John Dalton Intermediate School] and [Radford High School],” reads an announcement from Radford City Public Schools Superintendent Robert Graham. “Our football team was tested today at NRV pediatrics, and only one member of the team tested positive. In addition, our school nurses, who are absolutely fantastic, have concluded their contact tracing from last week’s spread of the virus and have all students who had direct exposure quarantined until they are safely able to return.
“Therefore, with this information and a blessing from our school board, the health/safety committee and the NRV health department, we will begin in-person learning again this Monday, March 29,” Graham said. “All extracurricular activities, except for football, may resume on Monday. Football practice may resume on Wednesday, March 31.”
Anyone who has concern about sending students to school in-person has an option to remain virtual, Graham said.
“We realize that resuming in-person learning earlier than anticipated may cause some anxiety, so we are allowing opportunities for students and families to return to our online platform if they
Wish,” the superintendent said. “Please know that if the decision is made to return to the online platform, that will be the platform they will use for the remainder of the year.”
Anyone with questions or concerns about the return to in-person learning earlier than expected, should contact Robert Graham at rgraham@rcps.org, Tammy Weston at bhnurse@rcps.org or Kelly Minnick at kminnick@rcps.org.