Heather Bell
RADFORD – Due to a positive COVID-19 case of a student or teacher at Dalton Intermediate School and other factors, Radford City Public Schools will move to virtual-only instruction until Dec. 7.
“We had a positive COVID-19 student or teacher case at Dalton, but that was not the only reason we decided to move them to completely remote,” said RCPS Superintendent Robert Graham via email Monday evening. “We also have staff who are sick (not COVID-19), taking care of sick children and family members or taking personal days to visit loved ones. All of these reasons supported a decision to move to remote at Dalton first and then everywhere else this afternoon.”
An email was sent out to the school community Monday afternoon explaining the decision, as well as what is expected of students during the virtual-only period.
“Out of an abundance of caution, an increased likelihood of possible exposures to COVID-19 cases involving staff, students and the Radford community, and through careful collaboration with New River Valley Health Department, RCPS has decided to move all students, PK-12, to remote learning beginning Tuesday, Nov. 24.,” the email reads.
All school buildings (McHarg Elementary School, Belle Heth Elementary School, Dalton Intermediate School, Radford High School, Grove Preschool and Unity Childcare) will be closed to students from Tuesday, Nov. 24, through Friday, Dec. 4. RCPS plans to reopen the buildings on Monday, Dec. 7 for in-person learning.
All Radford City Public Schools will provide virtual synchronous instruction for the week after Thanksgiving (Nov. 30 – Dec. 4, 2020).
Students are expected to participate in virtual synchronous (online, real-time) learning opportunities Monday (11/30), Tuesday (12/1), Thursday (12/3) and Friday (12/4). McHarg and Belle Heth will begin at 8 a.m. and DIS and RHS will begin at 8:30 a.m.
“Please plan on having your child(ren) up and ready to fully participate in their synchronous classes across all grade levels beginning Monday, Nov. 30, 2020,” the email reads.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, is an asynchronous learning day with the exception of McHarg and Belle Heth’s specialty synchronous learning opportunities. Teachers will also be holding office hours if students and/or families need assistance with academics.
“We hope that our community has a very safe Thanksgiving break and continues to abide by the state’s guidelines by engaging in low-risk behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says the email.