Radford has fallen off the COVID-19 hotspot list
Heather Bell
RADFORD – With COVID-19 cases subsiding in Radford, Radford City Public School students will head back to classrooms again on Monday, Sept. 14.
“We have met with many members of our RCPS safety team as well as our school board and are excited to continue moving forward and return safely to the hybrid model instructional plan beginning Monday, Sept. 14,” said RCPS SUperintendnet Robert Graham in a message to the school community. “We are eager to see our Rockin’ Rs on Monday and Bobcats on Tuesday.”
Some of the changes families will see once schools transition back on Monday are:
More synchronous opportunities for students who will be participating virtually (both hybrid students and VR students) “as we have seen how beneficial this type of format has been during the last week and a half,” said Graham.
Wednesday will now be an asynchronous day with opportunities for office hours, teacher planning and grade/subject level collaboration.
“We will continue the deep cleanings on Wednesdays as well,”said Graham.
Until further notice, the lowest a student can receive on homework or participation is 60 percent. “They will also be allowed longer time to complete assignments and have the ability to make up tests and quizzes if they score a C or below,” said Graham. “If a student decides to take a test or quiz over, the higher grade of the two will be counted in the teacher’s grade book.”
“As we transition from fully remote back to our hybrid model, we, once again, ask our school community for patience, flexibility and grace as we continue to learn together during this so-called “New Normal,” of the school year 2020-2021,” Graham added. “Please know that students are always welcome to transition back to the hybrid program if you are a VR student and vice versa if interested.”
The City of Radford has also announced that the Radford Recreation Center, the Radford Senior Center, Sparky’s Run Dog Park and the playgrounds in all parks will remain closed until Monday, Sept. 21.
On the campus of Radford University, there is good news regarding new COVID-19 cases.
In an email update to alumni, Radford University Brian O. Hemphill, Ph. D shared the following:
“Last week, public health experts advised that our campus plateaued in terms of COVID-19 cases and should expect to see a decline. This week’s update clearly demonstrates that we have successfully slowed the spread of COVID-19 on our campus with a 67.18 percent decrease in new positive cases when comparing 195 from the prior update to 64 in the most recent dashboard. Without question, our compliance and enforcement activities are proving to be successful.
I have expressed my sincere appreciation to our talented students, as well as world-class faculty, and dedicated staff, for their diligent efforts in wearing face coverings, exercising physical distancing, and washing hands frequently. I also shared my lasting gratitude with our supportive parents and engaged family members for encouraging these positive behaviors and responsible interactions by their Highlanders. However, I would be remiss if I did not highlight the everlasting support of our passionate alumni.
As the University is committed to protecting and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all students, as well as faculty and staff, by taking prompt action when necessary, a gathering limitation of 10 individuals was recently instituted for the main campus. The University has been monitoring compliance with the recent gathering restriction for all main campus students in both on-campus and off-campus environments. This increased restriction and related enforcement on gatherings was implemented due to student behavior in our broader community. In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, specifically the New River Health District, an overwhelming majority of the early positive cases was attributed to students attending two unrecognized fraternity parties and one large gathering, all of which occurred off campus. Students following public health measures and engaging in on-campus activities, such as attending in-person classes while wearing face coverings and exercising physical distancing, have very minimal exposure to COVID-19.
Our campus continues to be a safe learning and living environment as we are disinfecting individual classrooms and common areas twice a day. Disinfecting has been prioritized over cleaning in an effort to ensure a healthy environment. We are requiring face coverings on campus and have reconfigured classrooms to enable physical distancing. Clear barriers have been installed in many areas, including at the front of podiums in classrooms and throughout reception areas in customer-facing offices. Our students, as well as our faculty, staff, and visitors, are completing daily health screenings and being supported through campus services and individual requests.
New River Health District Director Noelle Bissell, M.D. recently shared, “Radford University has been the model of how to manage the return of students to campus during this pandemic. Together, we have weathered the storm. We are through the worst of it. What has happened is exactly what we predicted, and there have been no signs of community transmission.” During a time in which we are experiencing a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases and receiving tremendous support from public health officials, like Dr. Bissell and her dedicated team, social responsibility remains so very critical to our campus, our community, and our success. Please know that we are diligently working to ensure our campus community continues to be a safe learning and living environment for all Highlander students, and we eagerly await a time in which we can openly and safely welcome our Highlander alumni back home.”
