RICHMOND, Va. — After hinting at extending in-person learning into the summer months to make up for learning loss during the coronavirus pandemic, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam stopped short of mandating summer classes for all schools across the Commonwealth.
During a press conference Friday, Gov. Northam made it clear that students need to return to the classroom, pointing to a decline in academic performance in the 11 months since the pandemic began.
"We've seen more data now, and it suggests that schools don't have the kind of rapid spread that we've seen in some other congregate settings. That tells us it is time to find a path forward to in-person learning," Northam said.
Northam called on all K-12 schools in the Commonwealth to make in-person learning options available by March 15, 2021 in accordance with the health guidance the Northam administration put forward in January and new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He encouraged schools offer in-person instruction during the summer months.
“It’s time for this to happen. It's critical to prevent greater learning loss and to support our children's health and wellbeing," Northam said.
In addition to focusing on the decline of academic performance, the Governor also focused on children's mental health and stressed students are better off in classrooms.
"My fellow pediatricians say they're seeing increases in behavioral problems, mental health issues, and even increases in substance abuse among their young patients," Northam said. "They're writing more prescriptions, such as anti-depressants and stimulants and that's just not a good direction for us to keep going. And we're also seeing a decline in academic performance.”
Northam expressed support for in-person learning during the summer months but said it would not be required.
"This won't be mandatory, but it definitely needs to be an option," Northam said of summer school. "Our children need to catch up to be ready for learning in the fall."
While summer learning will be left up to the districts, the administration said it is working to find additional resources to support this as an option moving forward.
“For those who choose to return to in-person instruction, we know that school will not look the same as students remember it from past years,” said Secretary of Education Atif Qarni in a release. “However, implementing evidence-based public health strategies will provide students who need it most the opportunity to have an in-person environment to learn and develop academically, socially, and emotionally.”
Here are what some local Northern Virginia school districts have sent WUSA9 in regard to in-person learning and summer school.
Loudoun County Public Schools – “We will be welcoming back our pre-K through 5 students who chose hybrid learning for the second semester on February 16. Secondary students who chose hybrid learning for second semester will return March 3. Staff is exploring options to expand summer school offerings,” an LCPS statement read.
Fairfax County Public Schools – “As we begin to phase in students back to schools on February 16th, we will also be identifying those who will benefit most from summer support," a FCPS statement read in part. " In our extensive planning, we have budgeted up to 30 million dollars so far to aid our summer learning programming and we know there will be continued demand."
Alexandria City Public Schools – “ACPS began planning a summer school program for 2021 back in November last year. We are looking forward to providing this additional program of support available to all our students from PreK through grade 12,” Chief of School and Community Relations Julia Burgos said.
Prince William County Schools – “Since the first day of school in September, PWCS has had its most vulnerable learners in-person four days a week at all grade levels,” a PWCS statement read in part. "PWCS plans to offer further robust summer school programming this summer and had already announced such plans prior to the Governor's announcement today.”
Culpeper County Public Schools – “Culpeper County Public Schools already offers in-person learning for PK-12 and we are planning a summer school program based on student needs," a CCPS official said.
Manassas City Public Schools – "The School Board of the City of Manassas has a meeting Tuesday, February 9, and will discuss the Governor’s conference during that time. The School Board has stated that the safety of students and staff will be at the forefront of any decision made regarding the return to in-person learning," a district statement read.
Manassas Park City Schools – “The MPCS School Board this past Monday night, approved a return to a hybrid model of teaching and learning that is in alignment with the governor's announcement today. Our summer learning opportunities are still under development," the district told WUSA9.
WUSA9 will update this story as districts provide future plans.