LOUISA COUNTY, Va. — College students in Louisa County returned to the classroom Wednesday morning, and, for lots of, it was the initially time back again in the developing in additional than a 12 months.
“Everyone’s eyes are gleaming this morning with pleasure, the people and the students. It truly is a fantastic working day,” described Superintendent Doug Straley.
95% of Louisa students have opted for 5 days a 7 days of in-particular person learning, in contrast to just 40% final calendar year. The other 5 p.c chose to attend the LCPS Virtual Academy.
“The very last 17 months of education has seemed unique for our learners, and just to get them back again 5 days a 7 days is crucial and holding them in university,” said Straley. “This is possibly the most critical calendar year in the record of schooling, in my feeling.”
Ahead of college students enter the setting up, academics perform temperature checks, and, at the time inside of, social distancing markers and hand sanitizer stations line the hallways.
“You require to dress in a mask,” claimed Principal Lee Downey above the Louisa County Superior College loud speaker. “It is a non negotiable.”
In addition to masking, three ft of actual physical distancing is advised, and breakfast and lunches are done in stations to avoid all students applying the cafeteria.
“We’re seeking to be as healthful and risk-free inside the creating by following the mitigation tactics that we have in position and accomplishing the best we can with that,” Downey stated,
Students didn’t appear to mind the extra security actions Wednesday morning, as seniors like Emma McGhee said they are just fired up to be again in the creating.
“I would fairly have to don a mask all day and be a pair feet absent from my good friends and be equipped to be right here, alternatively of sitting at household discovering from a computer,” McGhee pointed out.
The volleyball participant and long run health care university university student explained she’s relieved her senior calendar year is going to be rather normal compared to very last calendar year.
“My classes are so significant, and I’m seeing absolutely everyone I didn’t get to see at all last yr,” she discussed. “So, it is as standard as we can get right now.”
Straley mentioned the district has extra counselors on employees to enable students cope with some of the trauma they’ve experienced this past calendar year.
“We have the ideal group in America, and I’m so enthusiastic for our team and so proud of our staff members for all they’ve carried out,” he spelled out.
As for the mask policy, Straley pointed out they will keep on to observe CDC steerage and will consider their plan if issues change.
