With distance learning to continue through the remainder of the school year, parents and students are wondering what will happen over the next couple months.
Orange County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Jenkins addressed concerns during a news conference on Monday. Here are the highlights:
- About four weeks of school left, with the last day being May 27. Distance learning will continue for the rest of the school year. Jenkins said, “We’re encouraging parents and students to finish strong.”
- The district on Friday decided to have virtual graduations for all 20 of its high schools. Information will be distributed to seniors and parents at a later date.
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- Time has been set aside in July for in-person graduation ceremonies at their respective football stadiums. However, Jenkins said those events are “probably not likely. However, we will have plans in place just in case we are at that level of clearance toward the end of July."
Orange County Public Schools set aside time for graduation ceremonies in July at high school football fields. Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins says she hopes it will happen but they've already told students not to count on it. @WFTV
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) April 27, 2020
- Summer school will be offered virtually in June, with plans forthcoming.
- Any family that hasn’t been in contact with the teacher or school means that the school is desperately trying to contact them, Jenkins said. If you or someone you know is in that situation, you should call the district immediately.
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- Plans are being made to allow students to pick up things left in their desks and lockers while adhering to social distancing. Schools will announce those plans at a later time.
- Jenkins said there have been more than a million logins on the district’s platform, and 1.8 million assignments submitted.
- So far, 1.6 million grab-and-go meals have been distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Any student or family struggling is welcomed to the meals.
Watch the news conference below:
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