Following an announcement from Governor Roy Cooper, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will extend the closure of schools through the end of the 2019-20 academic school year. This means that students will not return to school buildings for the remainder of the school year. While the state deals with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor felt it is safest to extend the closure of all K-12 public schools.
All North Carolina schools will also remain closed.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will continue the process of educating students through remote learning.
“CMS is pleased with Governor Cooper’s decision to keep our students and staff safe by keeping the schools closed through the end of the year. I want to thank all the families and students for all the hard work they have been doing. I also want to make sure that students and families understand we are not yet at summer break. Teachers will continue to teach and it is my expectation that all students will engage,”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Earnest Winston said.
Governor Cooper underscored the needs for schools to continue to provide school nutrition programs now and into the summer, and to be looking ahead and planning for when it is safe to re-convene schools in person. This includes how to get students back on track, especially those who have not been able to access remote learning or were already behind when schools closed to in-person instruction.
To help students without home internet access online learning opportunities, Governor Cooper announced a partnership to equip more school buses with Wi-Fi. School buses with Wi-Fi will travel to areas that lack internet so students can turn in assignments, download materials, and connect with teachers.
AT&T is providing 100 hot spots, Duke Energy Foundation is providing 80, and additional partners are expected to join the effort.
Students in grades pre k- third grade will be able to pick up packets at all elementary schools within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Meal distributions will also continue at almost 70 grab and go meal sites at schools.
