HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Thousands of students return to classrooms across North Carolina this week as the state breaks records in the number of COVID-19 cases.
What You Need To Know
Some parents favor remote learning for return to school as COVID-19 cases increase
Under current law, school districts can only go to remote learning due to COVID-19 quarantines in limited occasions
NCDHHS said the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit aims to help keep students and staff safe and in school
On Wednesday, statewide there were nearly 21,000 newly reported cases and a 31% daily percent positive.
Because of the statistics parents, including Melissa Easley, would’ve preferred Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools did the first two weeks after winter break virtually.
“With all the travel done over the holidays, with people going everywhere, an extra week of virtual school, at least a week … would’ve been the smart choice,” Easley said.
Under state law, school districts can’t go full remote districtwide for an extended period of time. They can only do virtual learning daily at the class, grade or school level due to COVID-19 quarantines.
Easley wished it were different, especially with Mecklenburg County having more than 73,000 cases this past week.
“They should have that option if percentage gets too high,” Easley said.
Easley has two children attending an elementary school in Huntersville. They are both not vaccinated against COVID-19 yet because of allergies.
“I’m relying on my community to help protect my son,” Easley said.
Easley also trusts her children’s teachers to keep them safe, because she was a teacher herself for 14 years.
“I know the lengths they are going to make sure they are protected as much as possible,” Easley said.
She resigned from CMS last year but has continued advocating to increase teacher pay and other issues regarding education as part of North Carolina Teachers United.
She’s also been vocal supporter of masking at CMS and Union County. She said she’s glad CMS requires masks and maintains social distancing between students.
“I can’t control everybody else. My kids can’t control everybody else, but we can do our part to make sure that our community is safe,” Easley said.
Easley plans to get her children vaccinated within the next month.
She said if the state allocates more funding to keep children safe in the classroom, schools could improve ventilation systems of school buildings.
On Tuesday, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley said the state plans to give higher grade masks for school staff.
On Wednesday afternoon, NCDHHS sent an email to Spectrum News stating excluding students from school should be the last resort and the guidance and recommendations in the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit are designed to keep students safe in the classroom.
The toolkit was updated on Dec. 30, and on Thursday, NCDHHS will be presenting related information to the State Board of Education.