Statement from Lenoir County Public Schools regarding its response to the coronavirus outbreak
LCPS is monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and working with local and state public health agencies to develop plans to keep our schools, students and staffs safe. Currently, public health experts do not recommend schools be closed. Keeping our schools open contributes to the stability of the community, helps ensure food security for many of our students and provides a welcomed element of routine at a time when disruption seems to be the norm. Those advantages, however, are secondary to our commitment to school safety and our obligation to help stem the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Because the situation with coronavirus is evolving, LCPS plans and procedures will evolve. These are current directives as of March 13.
Field trips
Out-of-district field trips are cancelled until further notice.
In-district field trips and competitions are allowed at the discretion of the principal.
Out-of-state travel for employees is cancelled until further notice.
District Events and Meetings
No new district events will be scheduled until further notice.
All district events involving the community (concerts, drama productions, etc.) that are scheduled for March are postponed.
All scheduled events are subject to change.
School Events and Meetings
School events involving the community that are scheduled for March are postponed.
Parent meetings and other small-scale gatherings at schools may be held as scheduled at the discretion of the principal.
Events scheduled for April and beyond are subject to change.
Athletics
In keeping with the directive of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, all sports competitions are cancelled through April 6 for our high schools and middle schools.
LCPS has extended this prohibition on sports participation to include practices, individual workouts and informal intrasquad competition, effective March 12.
Facility Use
Current contracted facility use of LCPS buildings will be reviewed as conditions warrant.
No new building rentals will be allowed until further notice.
School Visitors/Volunteers
Visitors/volunteers are asked to help protect schools against the spread of germs by refraining from visiting if they are experiencing symptoms of illness or if they are aware of exposure to illness.
Visitors/volunteers should be aware of public health guidance that places people over 65 years of age or people with underlying medical conditions in a category of heightened vulnerability.
What if our schools close
Because of our digital capabilities, where all K-12 students and teachers have iPads and other Apple devices, LCPS is well positioned for remote learning. Teachers are preparing lessons that will be conveyed to students via document management systems they use every day. Instructional packages will be provided students who do not have reliable internet connection.
LCPS will take advantage of relaxed USDA rules governing school lunches during this emergency to provide meals to students 18 years and younger. The district’s summer feeding program provides a proven template for making meals available to students when schools are closed, although other procedures may be employed if deemed more appropriate.
