WNC COVID-19 Information Update for Sunday, March 15th, 2020

UPDATE 11:37am Sunday, March 15th, 2020

The cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in North Carolina. As of 10:30 a.m. on March 15, 2020, there are 32 cases of the coronavirus in the state.

The closest case to Western North Carolina is now in Watauga County.

10:00am

Schools systems around the region are busy organizing meal programs and distribution routes to make sure local students don't go with out meals during the mandatory 2 week closure under the direction of the Governor...

North Carolina has 23 cases of Coronavirus in the state 1 confirmed and 22 presumed positive...however those numbers are expected to change.

Below you'll find the most recent update from local school systems about their efforts moving ahead.

Buncombe County Schools

Buncombe County Schools published the following updates on their website:

March 16 will be closed students, but it will be a regular day for employees, including teacher’s assistants unless you are ill and wish to take sick leave.

School nutrition employees will be reporting to assigned meal sites.

Further information will be shared via email.

Bus drivers will receive separate communication, as well.

Important additional information will be provided to all categories of employees soon.

In consultation with state and local leaders, we will determine a schedule to re-open school at a later date.

Virtual Classes:

Parents and students should check their email for more information regarding school work assignments and upcoming lessons.

If your child did not bring their device home on Friday, we will formulate a plan to get those devices to them. We will share those details with you soon.

Emergency Food Services:

With the help of dedicated partners, Buncombe County Schools will host drive-through food pick-up stations (breakfast and lunch) in all districts, beginning the program with:

Oakley Elementary

Johnston Elementary

Emma Elementary

West Buncombe Elementary

Hominy Valley Elementary

Pisgah Elementary

Owen High School

Black Mountain Primary

Weaverville Elementary

North Windy Ridge Intermediate

Estes Elementary

BCS is urging everyone to check the website for the latest information, follow @BuncombeSchools on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and download the BCS app and “opt-in” for notifications.

Asheville City Schools

Monday, March 16th will be an Optional Workday for our staff. The Optional Workday will give our teachers additional support as they continue to prepare for an extended period of at-home learning.

Our Food Distribution Sites will officially open on Tuesday, March 17th. We will be sending follow-up information concerning these sites.

At-home learning will begin on Tuesday, March 17th - Monday, March 30th. Beginning this upcoming Tuesday, elementary students should use their at-home learning packets, while secondary students should use their district-provided device to complete assignments through Canvas.

They anticipate returning to school on Tuesday, March 31 . However, we understand the severity of the coronavirus may impact this return date.

Haywood County Schools

Superintendent Nolte will meet with available members of the district-level Collaborative Leadership Team (CLT) at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Central Office.

Principals are asked to: (1) meet with teachers and other instructional support staff members first thing on Monday morning (2) review the instructional information we provided to principals on Friday (3) ask teachers and others to begin working on instructional support while school is closed and (4) attend the administrative meeting at the Education Center at 10:00 a.m.

District level administrative staff will meet at the Central Office at 8:15 on Monday.

Full-time 10 month, 11 month, and 12 month employees should report to work on Monday. At this point, the closure days will be considered Work Days. Full-time employees should work accordingly until further guidance is issued. We will provide information at a later date to clarify days that are optional or mandatory.

More Information Expected today:

Part-time employees

Availability of meals for appropriate students

And other matters

Henderson County Schools

Henderson County Schools published the following updates on their website:

This closure affects all school programming, including before- and after-school activities, on-campus childcare, all athletic and extracurricular practices and competitions, and all weekend events.

For HCPS staff, Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17 will be Optional Teacher Workdays.

The Learn From Home model will take effect for students Wednesday, March 18.

Specific details regarding the Learn From Home model will be sent to families on Tuesday, March 17.

The iHeart Radio Asheville stations will be updating both on-air and online throughout the remainder of the virus outbreak.


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