This is an important message for all Dinwiddie families and staff.

We have been monitoring the COVID-19 Pandemic Metrics provided by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. Currently, there is a widespread and increasing community spread, and we are now seeing an overwhelming number of students and staff members out for Covid-related illnesses and exposures.  While our schools remain safe, these absences, normal seasonal illnesses, additional leave requests, and limited substitute pools are causing critical employee shortages.

At this afternoon’s meeting, the School Board voted to temporarily move to a full virtual model for all students from Thursday, January 14 – Friday, January 29.

The following is some key information. This will also be posted on our division Facebook page.

• Virtual learning will take place each day during this time with the exception of the holiday this Monday, January 18 and the teacher workday on Friday, January 29.
• Students that attend Rowanty will continue to follow the Rowanty schedule.  The high school will provide more information regarding transportation.
• Students that attend any other schools outside of the school division will continue to follow the schedules of those schools.
• Meal distribution will be available.  The normal virtual student meal distribution will take place tomorrow, January 13.  Effective Thursday, January 14 distribution will take place on the following dates:
  • Thursday, January 14 – meals will be distributed for January 15, 18, & 19.
  • Tuesday, January 19 – meals will be distributed for January 20, 21, 22, 25, & 26
  • Tuesday, January 26 – meals will be distributed for January 27, 28, & 29.
  • Curbside distributions will be held at Sunnyside Elementary, Dinwiddie Elementary, and Sutherland Elementary from 10 am – 1pm on these days.  You may go to any of the 3 locations for meals.
  • After tomorrow, the normal virtual student meal distributions that were held on Wednesdays will be cancelled until further notice.
• During this time, it is very important for you to continue to report to us if your child has Covid or is a close contact exposure that requires a quarantine period.  Please report this by calling your child’s school.  A school nurse will follow up with you to help determine isolation and quarantine dates and assist with contact tracing.  This information is helpful as we transition back to in-person learning safely.
• Wireless internet access is still available in the parking lots of each school as well as the Wireless on Wheels locations across the county.  For a complete list of these locations, please visit the DCPS Parent/Student Help site located in the red alert bar of our school division website.
• You can expect to also receive a call from your child’s principal in the coming days with information specific to your child’s individual school.

Please stay safe, wear your mask, and continue to follow the health mitigation practices to help control the community spread of the virus so we can return to school safely on February 1, as planned.

Thank you for your cooperation and support of our school community.

Dr. Weston’s RETURN TO LEARN UPDATE Presentation to the Board, 1/12/21