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As we continue to monitor this unprecedented situation, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognizes the impact to students during an extended school closure can be significant as the learning time and support students receive at school are not easily supplemented or replaced. While local school divisions navigate this uncharted territory, plans are being developed to address the academic needs of graduating seniors as well as continuing instruction for students in all other grade levels. We are collaborating with school division administration and other partners to provide guidance and technical assistance to ensure those decisions continue to be made in the best interest of our students and staff.
We know this has been a difficult time for families across the commonwealth and throughout the country. We appreciate the hard work of our educators and school division leaders who are working tirelessly during these uncertain times to help develop equitable and innovative approaches to continuing instruction that allows us to remain focused on maximizing the potential of all students. Safeguarding the health and well being of students and staff is paramount during this national health crisis so it is critical that we continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in accordance with guidance received from Governor Northam and our health officials. Thank you for your flexibility and support.
For the most up-to-date information regarding #COVID19 and Virginia's public schools, visit the VDOE website: COVID-19 & Virginia Public Schools.
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State Superintendent Provides Flexibility for Class of 2020 |
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 *Photo courtesy of Richmond Times-Dispatch
Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced this week he is using his authority under Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order 51 to ensure high school seniors who were on track to earn a diploma later this spring are able to graduate, despite the closure of schools for the remainder of the year as a means of slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“The governor and I agree that every student who was on a trajectory toward earning a diploma should be able to graduate on time and move on to the next stage of his or her life,” Lane said. “I hope the flexibility that I am announcing today will help students and teachers as they cope with the deep disappointment of having their time together unexpectedly cut short and of not being able to enjoy the recognitions and celebrations that should be a part of every student’s graduation experience.”
In a guidance document sent to the commonwealth’s 132 school divisions, Lane said that high school seniors in the following categories will be able to graduate on time, despite the closure of schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year:
- Seniors currently enrolled in a course for which they need a standard or verified credit in order to graduate (verified credits are earned by passing a required course and also passing the associated Standards of Learning test);
- Seniors who have successfully completed a course required for graduation, but have not earned the associated verified credit; and
- Seniors who have not passed a required student-selected SOL test
More Information:
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Virginia Families Now Able to Locate Approved Meal Service Sites on School Meal Finder Website |
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Families and parents in Virginia can now visit the school meal finder website to find locations near them where local school divisions are offering free school meals —both breakfast and lunch, for pick-up while school buildings are closed due to COVID-19. The meal finder website features a dynamic locator map designed to help families easily find school meals during the unprecedented closure of schools due to the national public health crisis. Once on the website, families can search by state or home address to access a map of locations.
VDOE has been awarded a waiver from the USDA that allows school divisions to provide meals in non-congregate settings via grab-and-go kiosks at school sites or providing community delivery. This applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. VDOE is required to approve the use of these waivers on a case-by-case basis, and must report to the USDA Regional Office when and where this waiver is in effect, how program integrity is maintained and to collect data on the impact.
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Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver – approval requires sponsors to document the lack of availability of food products resulting from the impacts of COVID-19.
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Parents/Guardians Picking up Meals for Children – approval requires sponsors to detail in the waiver request how meals are distributed to parents and guardians of eligible children and that duplicate meals are not distributed to any child or parent/guardian.
These waivers remain in effect until April 30, 2020 or until the expiration of the public health emergency.
Following Governor Northam’s Executive Order to close schools for the remainder of the academic year, school division employees and community partners are working diligently to ensure our students will continue to have uninterrupted access to nutritious meals during this unprecedented time.
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#GoOpenVA Available to Educators for Access to Online Resources to Support Continuity of Learning
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As school divisions work to develop plans for providing students with equitable opportunities and instruction to cover required course content without disrupting their academic progress, online resources are being relied upon more than ever during school closures.
#GoOpenVA is Virginia's home for Open Educational Resources (OERs). It's a growing community of educators and education partners working together to help teachers personalize learning and address the learning goals of the Profile of a Virginia Graduate. Refer to the Quick Guide to Open Educational Resources (OER) to learn more.
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Additional Online Learning Resources:
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Tips for Families and Students to Enhance Learning at Home
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Parents and families can support students’ thinking and learning during extended school closures:
- Collaborate with your child to organize the day to include time for learning, activities and exercise.
- Read to and with your child and have conversations about what you have read together.
- Take a walk and ask about what your child is seeing and about being a good citizen.
- Encourage critical thinking through cooking together.
- Encourage conversations about mathematics in your child’s day.
- Explore your child’s creativity by creating art, music, or dance.
- Write a letter to a family member or friend or community hero.
- Be mindful of screen time and have alternatives for children to play outside.
- Listen to your child about his or her feelings and fears and offer comfort, honesty, and reassurance.
Families are encouraged to review resources provided by local school divisions, public libraries, public media, civic and community groups, and other resources, including those found on the VDOE website - search for "families" or visit the For Families webpage.
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Demonstrating Virginia's 5 C's During School Closures
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Virginia's 5 C's are great techniques for educators and parents who are looking for engaging and innovative ways to keep the learning going at home. The Profile of a Virginia Graduate established a set of expectations – known as the 5 C’s: critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and citizenship skills. This approach will prepare every student with the content knowledge and the skills they need to apply it successfully after graduation. To find out more, check out the VDOE YouTube channel: Virginia's 5 C's Playlist and share how you are incorporating them into your every day activities using the hashtag #VA5CsAtHome.
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#SocialSpotlight: Norfolk Public Schools Lunch Heroes Meal Distribution
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School divisions around the commonwealth have responded to school nutrition needs with an abundance of compassion and logistical best practices that have benefited our families most in need. Thank you to all of our #SchoolLunchHeroes who are assisting with providing meals and distributing to families during school closures!
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