Debate sparked after Republican lawmakers announce bill requiring all NC schools offer in-person learning
Virtual learning would still be offered, but all school districts in the state would be required to offer in-person learning. Author: Ben Smart Updated: 5:47 AM EST February 1, 2021
NORTH CAROLINA, USA One year after the WHO declared COVID-19 an international emergency, debate continues in North Carolina over how schools should approach education during the ongoing pandemic.
More than 100 people gathered in front of the NC Governor s Executive Mansion in Raleigh on Saturday, demanding the schools reopen now - holding signs, chanting, and making their voices heard.
On Monday or Tuesday of this coming week, NC Republican lawmakers are expected to unveil a bill that would mandate all public school districts offer in-person learning, with the option of virtual learning still available.
Their message? Open up schools. This is about our children, said Wake County mother Kelly Mann, one of the organizers. This is about how this is affecting our children.
Mann and a couple of other mothers started the Facebook group, Members of Wake County Families and Teachers to Safely Reopen Schools, which has nearly 6,000 members.
Meanwhile, state Republican lawmakers are working on legislation requiring all districts to operate in-person in some capacity. Parents would still have the option of all virtual learning. I am there to support what they re pushing forward and I could not be more excited that this is something that s finally being done, finally, Mann said. It really should have been done a long time ago but I m very pleased by this.
New Hanover County Schools Board of Education Chair Stefanie Adams surprised families when she said she would no longer support moving into Plan A. (Port City Daily photo/Alexandria Sands)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY – New Hanover County Schools has once again changed its plan for elementary schoolers in the spring semester.
Students will not return in-person to classrooms full-time starting Jan. 19 as planned. Instead, K-5 students will continue in Plan C, all remote learning, for an additional week.
On Jan. 25, elementary schools will resume Plan B, a hybrid model in which students attend school face to face twice a week and learn from home the remainder of the days. In all three scenarios, families are given a 100% remote option.
Columbus Co. teacher dies and will be missed by many
Columbus County teacher dies from complications of COVID-19 By WECT Staff | January 11, 2021 at 3:47 PM EST - Updated January 11 at 11:47 PM
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A teacher who spent close to three decades at a Columbus County school died last week. The North Carolina Association of Educators previously reported in a Facebook post that this was due to COVID-19.
Wendy Fipps, 52, who passed away Jan. 8, spent almost 28 years teaching fourth graders at Edgewood Elementary in Whiteville, according to the school.
“If you met Wendy Fipps, you were graced with her beautiful smile,” the school said in a Facebook post. “If you spent even a moment with her, you enjoyed laughter. If you watched her teach, you experienced wonder. If you were lucky enough to have her as your teacher, you felt love, magic, and left her class smarter and stronger. If you were blessed enough to have her as a co-worker and friend, you exper
Educators call for greater distancing before reopening of elementary schools
Educators call for greater distancing before reopening of elementary schools By Anna Phillips | December 31, 2020 at 3:55 PM EST - Updated December 31 at 6:23 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The New Hanover County Association of Educators is calling for greater social distancing and other measures to ensure safety before the district reopens elementary schools for full time in person instruction Jan. 19.
During a press conference on New Year’s Eve, President Amanda White said, “we are at the height of a pandemic and we understand everybody wants children back in schools. We want children back in schools as well.”