Newsroom

YCSD Coronavirus Update

I want to begin by thanking you for your continued support of the York County School Division as we have navigated through two unprecedented and complex situations, the Grafton electrical fire and the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, in the last six weeks.

As always, the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families is the top priority. While we have taken many steps to prepare for and mitigate the potential impact of the COVID-19 in our community, we know further action is warranted and we are now moving into the next phase of our Pandemic Response Plan.

This includes adjusting school operations to limit student and staff travel while also minimizing outside access to our school buildings. As part of our response plan, tomorrow, Friday, March 13, 2020 will now be a designated student holiday and a staff workday for all employees.

Below is additional information regarding adjustments being implemented beginning tomorrow, Friday, March 13 and effective until further notice.

After-school Activities

All after-school and evening events, except for student clubs and instructional support programs, are canceled. This includes concerts, plays, school dances, PTA and booster club meetings.

Athletics

Athletics practices and competitions will proceed as scheduled at this time and will follow guidance from the Virginia High School League (VHSL). Based on that guidance, only family members will be admitted as spectators.

Attendance

All students and staff should remain home from school if they are sick, regardless of the illness. In accordance with VDOE guidance, schools will accept all notes for student absences related to illness, mental health, and or social distancing related to COVID-19. These absences will be excused. Information regarding employee absences will be provided to staff tomorrow.

Classroom Instruction

The YCSD department of Instruction is providing all schools with the expectations for the continuity of instruction, as appropriate by grade level and subject matter, in the event of an extended school closure. To ensure teachers and staff have time to prepare learning plans for a possible extended closure, tomorrow, Friday, March 13, will be a designated student holiday and staff workday for all employees.

Facility Use

The College Board SAT's will be held Saturday, March 14, 2020 as scheduled. All other community use of school facilities is canceled.

Field Trips & Travel

All field trips are canceled. Additionally, all employee business travel outside of the Hampton Roads area is canceled. Individuals scheduled to attend conferences and meetings should consult with their supervisor regarding any fees associated with canceled travel plans.

School Visitors & Volunteers

No school visitors, other than those attending official school business meetings, will be permitted during the school day. This includes guest readers for Read Across America. All volunteer programs are suspended in schools. We recognize the important role volunteers play in supporting our schools and we appreciate this immensely. We look forward to resuming these programs as soon as we are able.

We believe these actions are necessary to allow our staff and students to focus on our core mission of providing instruction to all students while mitigating potential health risks pending a possible closure at the recommendation of health agencies. We will be reassessing our status daily, based on the continued guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). We will continue to update our families and staff as new information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Victor Shandor, Ed.D.
Division Superintendent