Brevard Academy 2nd Re-Entry Plan
As of September 22, 2020
Governor Cooper Announces NC to Open Under Plan A.... for Some
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Thursday that school districts can reopen elementary schools for full-time, daily, in-person instruction starting Oct. 5.
After several weeks of stable COVID-19 trends and continued low virus spread in school settings, Governor Roy Cooper today announced that beginning on October 5, North Carolina public school districts and charter schools can choose to implement Plan A for elementary schools (grades K-5). Plan A continues to include important safety measures like face coverings for all students, teachers and staff, social distancing, and symptom screening, but does not require schools to reduce the number of children in the classroom.
“We are able to open this option because most North Carolinians have doubled down on our safety and prevention measures and stabilized our numbers,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “North Carolinians are doing the hard work to improve our numbers and trends. Many people are wearing masks, keeping social distance and being careful to protect others as well as themselves. We have shown that listening to the science works. And I’m proud of our resolve.”
As the Governor announced in July, every district will continue to have flexibility to select Plan A, B or C based on their unique needs. In addition, districts should still provide an option for families to select all remote learning for their students. Read the Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit to learn more about the requirements under each plan.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services shared an update on North Carolina’s data trends. Dr. Cohen explained that North Carolina has seen a sustained leveling or decrease of key metrics.
“Our trends show that we are on the right track. It’s up to all of us to protect our progress. Our individual actions like those 3 Ws will help keep our school doors open.,” said Secretary Cohen.
Dr. Cohen also explained that as schools have opened, the current science shows that younger children are less likely to become infected, have symptoms, experience severe disease or spread the virus.
“It’s great news today that we are a step closer to providing the option of in-person learning to families who want their children to return to school,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson. “While the Governor, the State Board of Education, and I have our differences, I join with them today to encourage local school board members to take advantage of this change and open all schools safely. I thank the many parents and teachers across North Carolina who have been vocal advocates on this important issue.”
“For the past 6 months, superintendents, principals, teachers and local BOE have worked diligently to care for the safety of our students and staff while educating our children. While we are anxious to return all students, we know that teachers, principals, and students need a gradual transition over the next 3 months. I ask our parents to remain patient, knowing that we are moving as quickly as is safely possible. And I ask our teachers to continue to assist our students by supporting this deliberate, thoughtful transition," said Eric Davis, Chairman of the State Board of Education.
Trajectory in COVID-Like Illness (CLI) Surveillance Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s syndromic surveillance trend for COVID-like illness is declining.
Trajectory of Confirmed Cases Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of lab-confirmed cases is declining.
Trajectory in Percent of Tests Returning Positive Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory in percent of tests returning positive is declining.
Trajectory in Hospitalizations Over 14 Days
- North Carolina’s trajectory of hospitalizations is declining.
In addition to these metrics, the state continues building capacity to be able to adequately respond to an increase in virus spread. These areas include:
Laboratory Testing
- Access to testing has expanded. No-cost testing events are being deployed across the state and testing turnaround times have improved.
Tracing Capability
- Contact tracers continue to be hired to bolster the efforts of local health departments. A new exposure notification app will be launched soon.
Personal Protective Equipment
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies are stable
North Carolina education leaders gave statements in support of Governor Cooper’s announcement.
Mark Johnson, Superintendent of NC Department of Public Instruction: “It’s great news today that we are a step closer to providing the option of in-person learning to families who want their children to return to school. While the Governor, the State Board of Education, and I have our differences, I join with them today to encourage local school board members to take advantage of this change and open all schools safely. I thank the many parents and teachers across North Carolina who have been vocal advocates on this important issue.”
Eric Davis, Chair of NC State Board of Education: “For the past 6 months, superintendents, principals, teachers and local BOE have worked diligently to care for the safety of our students and staff while educating our children. While we are anxious to return all students, we know that teachers, principals, and students need a gradual transition over the next 3 months. I ask our parents to remain patient, knowing that we are moving as quickly as is safely possible. And I ask our teachers to continue to assist our students by supporting this deliberate, thoughtful transition."
Q & A
What needs to happen for school to return to 5 days a week?
We will gauge family and staff comfort levels as well as interest and general input as we decide how to move forward. A survey has been created for families and once data is gathered we will make an announcement.
Will Distance Learning still be an option for next 9 weeks for K-5th or will there only be an in person option?
Will there be an opportunity for students to continue to attend only 2 days a week?
While we understand concerns going around, we will ask that you chose between the fully Distance Learning option or in-person learning scenario our Return to Learn Team creates.
Does Brevard Academy being a K-8 complicate bringing back K-5 students?
How will this affect 6th through 8th grades?
If all students who are 100% virtual remain virtual, what would avg. class size be with the students who are in-person?
Can Brevard Academy continue Plan B even though the governor allows a full return?
We would like to see BA do what is best for the Staff and students. It seems now that we have the hybrid thing figured out it would be difficult for teachers to suddenly pivot to doing full time.
Could you keep specials on Wednesdays and leave that as a cleaning day and allow elementary students to come M,T,Th,F?
I hope BA goes full time. It is very hard on working parents.
BA should follow suit with other schools. Current status is extremely hard for working parents.
How have current in-person learners been dealing with mask wearing? Has it been fairly easy to keep them on kids?
Questions about face coverings....
The NCDHHS (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) has issued state wide guidance in regards to face coverings. Please visit the link below which explains in further detail the policies and procedures NC Schools are expected to adhere to during the Plan B reopening this fall.
https://files.nc.gov/covid/documents/guidance/education/Strong-Schools-NC-FAQs.pdf
What date will we know by?
If BA goes back to full time, will the Bus route in the Mills River location be an option?
How will ventilation figure into your plans moving forward? Have you researched and/or addressed ventilation in your reopening thus far?
Do we have an eta on when the governor will address 6th through 8th going to plan A ?
Has Transylvania County Schools made their decision?
When will there be an opportunity for uniforms sales at the school?
If we register and receive a bus spot, are we able to only ride it as needed as opposed to daily?
How will 8th graders prepare for high school - will they get a chance to see the high school still?
We will continue to prepare students using the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. All public high schools follow these standards as they prepare students for college.
We begin high school visits in the spring. We do not yet know the status of these field trips.
2020-2021 Official School Calendar with Virtual Days Options
Remote Learning Days for Students
- September 25 and 30
- October 15
- January 19
- February 24
- March 19
Important Dates To Keep In Mind
Gentle Reminders
Send Us Your Photos
We love to see all our students smiling faces and we sure do miss each and every one of them! Share with us some of the ways your children are staying active, working on projects, maybe a cool place they have found to read. Send pictures to our Facebook page or to ebrewton@brevardacademy.school. We will share photos and videos on social media.
Review Us
As parents are checking out school choices for their children, they want to hear from you! If you love Brevard Academy as much as we do, take a few minutes to post a review to Facebook, Google, and Great Schools. Please send us the review as well, so we can post it on our website. Reviews can be emailed to ebrewton@brevardacademy.school.
Thank you for your support!
#ILoveBA
Brevard Academy: A Challenge Foundation
Email: feedback@brevardacademy.school
Website: https://brevard.teamcfa.school/
Location: 1110 Hendersonville Highway, Pisgah Forest, NC, USA
Phone: 828-885-2665
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrevardCFA
Support Brevard Academy
Amazon Smile
Ingles Advantage Card
Relink your Ingles Card every year and select Brevard Academy as your school of choice. Click here to link your card.