Today's Update
Florence 1 Schools, April 22, 2020
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Today, Governor McMaster announced that schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. However, we will continue with e-learning and follow our current school calendar with some flexibility for the last two weeks of May.
Decisions regarding when e-learning will conclude, marking periods, food services and summer feeding, extended school year, end of the year procedures, graduation, etc. will be announced on Monday and reviewed during our Facebook Live at 7:00 pm.
Graduation dates will remain the same and the options for the ceremony are being discussed and will be finalized in the coming weeks with the current restrictions on social distancing remaining in place.
We appreciate everyone working together over the past few weeks during this pandemic and hope to continue the positive momentum through the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. Thank you.
Richard O'Malley, Ed.D., Superintendent
Florence 1 Schools
All South Carolina Schools to Remain Closed for the Remainder of the Year
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced today that all public K-12 schools will remain closed through the rest of the school year.
The governor has already called for colleges and universities in the state to stay virtual for the rest of this term, and several have announced plans for delayed or virtual commencement exercises for graduating students.
In mid-March, McMaster initially closed public schools for the remainder of that month, setting into motion an e-learning program new to most students and teachers across the state. Food centers and delivery options were set up for students reliant on food provided in schools, as well as any others in need, and hundreds of the state’s school buses were equipped with Wi-Fi to serve as hotspots for students without internet access at home.
Other headlines from news conference:
- The final day of e-learning will be a school administrative decision.
- Flexibility will be given to schools so that seniors may still be able to participate in a modified graduation ceremony/walk.
- "We are working to find ways to help students with special needs & working on potential summer options," McMaster said.
- School districts will work with students to secure items that have been left at school.
On Monday Spearman described the e-learning that has now been in place for six weeks as going well. “I can’t say thank you enough to the teachers and the parents and the students for all the great work you have done,” Spearman said. "It has been difficult on all of us."
Spearman acknowledged that some students have not done well with distance learning, specifically special needs students. She said the department of education is looking at how best to accommodate these students during this time.
Photo: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster
Today is Administrative Professionals Day: April 22, 2020
In the Wide World of Sports......
Here's an Update on the Weather in Our Area
Impacts
· Wind damage from severe thunderstorms containing gusts in excess of 60 mph.
· Isolated tornadoes; one or two could be strong (EF2+), especially along and west of I-95.
· Substantial safe shelter needed for those outdoors and in temporary structures during thunderstorms.
Forecast Confidence
· High for scattered thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon.
· High for the potential for severe weather into Thursday evening.
Timing and Strength )
· Thursday afternoon and evening
· Scattered thunderstorms likely to develop tomorrow afternoon.
· Primary threat will be damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph.
· Isolated tornadoes will also be a threat. One or two of these could be strong (EF2+)
· Thursday night
· A second line of thunderstorms could develop late Thursday bringing the potential for another round of severe weather.
· Uncertainty remains high for the second round of severe weather.
Questions? Contact NWS Wilmington at (910) 762-4289 for 24/7 forecaster assistance.
For more information, contact the Florence County Emergency Management Division: fcemd.org.