Coronavirus Information Update – March 13, 2020
Team Chesterfield families,
These are unprecedented times. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.
With the Governor’s declared state of emergency due to COVID-19 and today’s regional guidance that there are no large gatherings of more than 250 people at one place at one time, we are taking the unprecedented step of closing schools due to public health concerns.
Effective Saturday, March 14, through at least Friday, March 27, Chesterfield County Public Schools will be closed.
This step is being taken to limit large crowds and practice social distancing, as we do our part to help contain the spread of this international pandemic. No CCPS or external activities will be held inside of our facilities during this time.
This decision is aligned with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation related to a community mitigation strategy. We will continue to rely on guidance from the CDC, Governor Northam, Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education about expectations moving forward and will re-evaluate our ability to reopen as we get closer to March 27.
Using today as a preparation day for what appeared to be an inevitable closing of schools provided us the opportunity to plan to continue to support students. With this planning day, we will have finalized efforts related to the continuity of operations: employee work expectations, student learning at home, food service opportunities at schools that qualify and a facility/bus cleaning program.
Our staff – school-based and centrally – will continue to be in contact with updates during the next two weeks. Our schools will be open next week from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. for parents to pick up instructional resources if they are unable to access them online. We will provide additional guidance to families on Sunday about opportunities that exist for food service at qualified schools.
We realize that this will be an inconvenience for families, but trust that you understand that this decision is made with the best interests of our students (and staff) in mind. Thank you again for your continued support of our staff and schools during these unprecedented times!