Coronavirus Information Update – March 22, 2020
Team Chesterfield families and staff:
Week 1 of school closures is in the books, and we’re off to Week 2.
Teachers are preparing to release a second round of instructional activities that your child can work on while at home this week. If you have not received this update already, look for communication from your child’s teacher on Monday.
If you cannot access the materials online, these instructional materials will be available for pickup at your child’s school on Tuesday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
We appreciate your support of our students as we seek to keep them engaged in instructional activities and wellness-related opportunities through the closings that have been extended until at least April 14. Please be sure to visit https://sites.google.com/ccpsnet.net/ccps-parent-resources/home for additional instructional resources that supplement what is already being provided by our fantastic teachers.
Additional important updates include:
Chromebook support
Chesterfield County Public Schools has developed a plan to provide support for school division-issued Chromebooks during this extended school closure:
- Every Tuesday at Thomas Dale and Matoaca high schools from 9 a.m. until noon
- Every Thursday at CTC@Hull and Robious Middle from 1-4 p.m.
- A parent and/or student will need to provide their student ID number in order to adjust the school division’s inventory records. Support is limited to students in grades 5-12, who already are participating in the Chromebook take-home program.
- Appropriate social distancing protocol will be followed to protect students and staff.
Internet service
In previous communications, we shared information about the Comcast Internet Essentials plan.
Comcast also has informed the school division that its Xfinity hotspots are open for public use during this public health crisis. Click here to find the location closest to you.
Students without Internet access at home can select this option when using their Chromebooks. CCPS Internet filtering will still be active. There is no charge for using this service.
With social distancing best practices in mind, we do not encourage students to visit public facilities for Internet connection.
Public library access
Chesterfield County public libraries will remain closed to the public through Sunday, March 29.
Families can access CCPL’s full suite of online resources, including books, movies and music, at library.chesterfield.gov.
Don’t have a library card yet? Staff are available by phone Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 804-751-CCPL and can help you get a library card number over the phone.
In addition, don’t forget, Facebook Live story times from CCPL start Monday at 10:30 a.m.
State-mandated testing
Following President Trump’s announcement about canceling student testing for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, the Virginia Department of Education is preparing an application to the U.S. Department of Education for a statewide waiver from federal requirements associated with mandated student testing.
“We are exploring all options to cancel state-required Standards of Learning assessments for the year in light of today’s announcement by USED,” Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane said Friday. “But with today’s announcement, our educators and schools can focus on supporting the health and well-being of students and on providing opportunities for continued learning while schools are closed.”
From the Virginia Department of Education: “ESSA requires annual testing in reading and mathematics in grades 3-8 and at least once in high school. The federal law also requires states to administer science tests at least once during elementary, middle and high school. The commonwealth’s assessment system also includes tests in writing and history and history and social science that are not required by the federal law but are mandated by state law and regulations.”