Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced this afternoon, at his press conference, all public schools in the Commonwealth will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. The news is not what we were hoping for or expecting, but together we will get through this.
It was only ten days ago we announced our closure due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Unfortunately, since that time, the spread of the virus has only grown across the United States, impacting communities such as ours even more significantly than anticipated. Todays’ announcement by the Governor changes our work as we look to the future. As we’ve prepared for this pandemic, our administrative teams have always been focused on the impacts to our students, families, and staff. That will not change as we address the extension of our current closure through the remainder of the 19-20 school year.
Everyone has many questions, and although we don’t have the answers today, please know we are working diligently internally and with the Virginia Department of Education to get the answers. As we did with the first closure, we will share our plans with you very soon.
For now, we will continue to provide the continuity of learning plans that are currently in place through Schoology through April 10th. So please keep your students engaged. We will be honoring Spring Break, and will soon announce plans for programming for the remainder of the school year.
It is unfortunate it has come to this, but all of us, school administrators, staff, and parents, want the same outcome--keeping our children and community safe. Give yourselves a moment to process and help your students as they hear this information for the first time. Support each other.
Thank you for your continued understanding, patience, and gracious space as we work through this challenging time together.
More soon. Promise.
Peter
Peter J Noonan, Ed.D
Superintendent
Falls Church City Public Schools