PreK-5 students to return to classroom full time; 6-12 will return part time

At a special Oct. 1 meeting, the Dare County Board of Education unanimously voted that beginning on Oct. 26, PreK-5 students will begin full-time in-school learning. Grades 6-12 will begin on that same date with a hybrid model consisting of two cohorts — one group which will be in the building on Mondays and Thursdays, the second group on Tuesdays and Fridays. Wednesdays will serve as a remote learning day, intervention day and for sanitizing.

Under the plan, the elementary level will begin in a phased entry, with grades 3-5 beginning the first week of the second quarter and grades K-2 beginning the following week. K-12 students with Disabilities with Extended Content Standards in separate setting classrooms will also have the opportunity to attend classes daily.

A virtual learning option will be available for teachers who cannot return to face-to-face instruction because of health concerns, as well as for families who do not want to have their children return to in-person learning.

“The parents are going to make the decision because we are offering choices,” said Board Chair Bea Basnight. “Ultimately, parents need to decide what is best for their own children.”

The school board also voted unanimously to re-start the district’s middle and high school athletics, with pre-season conditioning beginning on Oct. 5 and the regular season practices beginning on Nov. 5