Editor’s note: Upshur County families, we’re passing along a request from the school system concerning the upcoming year. Please fill out this survey if you can!

We need your help.  We want to hear from our school families.  What are your opinions and concerns about school in August?  Your opinion matters!  Please take time to complete the survey link below.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created major challenges for Upshur County families and the education community, many of the issues facing our students and teachers preceded the virus. The pandemic further stressed the importance of systems of support to assist our children and families. From internet access, nutrition, to social-emotional services, schools are redefining all supports for teaching and learning.  However, Upshur County Schools remains focused on teaching and supporting our students and their families.  We are working diligently with our community stakeholders to create a system that resembles our school days prior to the pandemic.  While we are excited about the possibilities of our one-to-one technology, we understand that there is no substitute for the human connection.

Currently, we are working with a stakeholder group to develop a safe plan for re-entry on August 19 (we will have a transition day on August 18 for PreK, K, 6^th and 9^th grade students).  Stakeholders represented in this advisory group include several community experts, Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department, students, service personnel, nurses, counselors, teachers, principals, parents, Community Care of WV, St. Joseph Hospital, WV Wesleyan, Board of Education members, local non-profits and Central Office Staff.  The guidance recommendations from this Advisory Council will be shared with the community.

There are a few things we want you to know.  Upshur County Schools will intensify our cleaning protocol in all schools and on our buses.  Upshur County Schools will make decisions based on the data regarding COVID-19 and in conjunction with State and Local Health Officials’ recommendations.  Based on this data, we may need to:

• Limit visitors permitted in the school.
• Have our elementary students stay in core groups within designated classrooms for instruction, and related arts.
• Develop protocols for masks, handwashing, social distancing, etc.
• Evaluate athletic/physical activities, related arts and large gatherings on school time/property.
• Utilize outdoor classrooms when appropriate.
• Utilize nurses to monitor the health of students, staff and facilities.
• Apply varying social distancing guidelines by student populations (for example: medically fragile students, young children).
• Define flexibilities for students who cannot attend daily and implement remote learning.
• Expand remote/virtual school course offerings through a partnership with West Virginia Virtual Schools, being mindful of the technology and broadband equity and access limitations.

We will create a safe environment for students, employees and families, and if needed, additional protocols will be taken under advisement and will be implemented as necessary.

Please complete survey by Monday, June 29.  Thank you.

The link to the survey can be found at upshurschools.com