This afternoon, Governor Cooper continued the closure of all school buildings for person-to-person instruction for the remainder of the scheduled school year. This is following Thursday’s extension of the Stay Home-Stay Safe declaration until May 8. While many expected the closure to continue, the finality of Governor Cooper’s statement is disappointing to all of us for several reasons.
We regret that our students will not be able to be with friends in traditional settings of classrooms and athletic events this school year. We are equally disappointed our students and staff will not be able to work together in person until the 2020-21 school year begins. However, we are most saddened by the loss our high school seniors have experienced since March 13. It is our hope to help ease their loss as we attempt to finish the school year honoring their accomplishments in everyway possible within the limitations of the current government restrictions of the day.
We can be comforted at some level in that our students will still be interacting with their teachers on a weekly basis as we continue remote learning. It is also encouraging that only the school buildings are closed for students for the remainder of the school year allowing us to continue food distribution every weekday. Many families are struggling to provide for daily needs due to the economic changes of the past weeks. We are honored to help overcome this by providing breakfast and lunch for all our students. If you have not been receiving this help, please let us know by calling the central office at 488-3480 or your son/daughters’ school to setup delivery.
We also offer to our seniors and their families the assurance that Swain County Schools will work diligently to provide a time of celebration to be remembered as the class of 2020 moves from this stage of life to wherever their paths lead. Please know, the schoolboard and staff of Swain County Schools as well as the community are proud of you as men and women.
To our community, please be prepared for our school system to reach out for help as we honor the class that has endured what no other group of seniors have ever experienced in the history of the school system. And please stay in touch with us through social media as we continue to make announcements about current educational changes when they come to us from Raleigh. The coming days will bring many changes for the next two months, this summer, and the 2020-21 school year. We will do our best to keep you informed as our teams develop plans for the future of our students.
Remember, Instructional support will still be in session through remote learning on Monday for those who can participate. Please continue to help our students participate with their teachers. This will help buffer the loss everyone is feeling today. Thank you for supporting Swain County Schools. Thank you for being part of #swainfamily.
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