Announcement from Henderson County Public Schools:
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (May 12, 2020) – Bruce Drysdale and Hendersonville elementaries will operate on the traditional calendar for the 2020-21 school year, scheduled to begin August 17, instead of their typical year-round “Flex Calendar.”
The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted unanimously at its May 11 board meeting to align the elementary schools with the traditional calendar for the 2020-21 school year, as social distancing measures could remain in place through July and the district waits for reentry guidance from the state.
The Learn from Home virtual school model has been successful during the existing school closure, due to relationships students and staff had already nurtured in the 2019-20 school year.
However, a new school year would ideally start with in-person instruction instead of virtual learning, especially considering kindergarteners who are brand new to school, said Superintendent Bo Caldwell. This position was supported by the school board and principals of both Bruce Drysdale and Hendersonville elementaries.
The decision is only for the 2020-21 school year and the schools will return to the flex calendar in 2021-22.
On Monday, May 4, 2020, Governor Cooper signed Senate Bill 704, entitled “An Act to Provide Aid to North Carolinians in Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Crisis.” Part II of the Act is entitled “Education” and the provisions of the Act impact mandate specific school calendar guidelines for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. Per this legislation, the 2020-21 traditional calendar for HCPS schools is currently being revised and will be presented to the Board of Public Education for consideration and approval at its June 8 board meeting.
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