All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Upshur County Schools to remain on ‘blended’ model through end of 2020

Editor’s note: The follow is a press release issued by Upshur County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sara Lewis Stankus Thursday afternoon.

BUCKHANNON — Upshur County Schools will remain on a blended operational model through the remainder of the 2020 Calendar Year. Students will continue to attend in-person school as part of Group A on Mondays and Thursdays or Group B on Tuesdays and Fridays. School will continue to dismiss at 2:00 p.m., and Wednesdays will remain full-time remote for instruction.

This decision follows the recommendation of the Upshur County Schools Re-Entry Advisory Council, which has been meeting since just after the mid-point of the first nine-week term.

“Two themes have emerged from our Re-entry Advisory Council meetings,” said Dr. Sara Stankus, Superintendent. “These include the need to revise our plan for more than just the next nine weeks; the re-entry plan needs to discuss our options for the remainder of the 20-21 school year. Also, the virus spread in the community indicates that we must continue to exercise caution with in-person instruction.”

Upshur County Schools also distributed a survey to its families in October asking for feedback on remote instruction and re-entry. One of the major notes to come out of that survey was the fact that our families want in-person instruction to resume.

The blended model allows for the necessary caution yet recognizes the importance of in-person instruction.

Attendance decisions will be consistent with the School Alert System map issued by the West Virginia Department of Education on Saturdays.

“We will continue to share with our families the information regarding the Saturday map designations. We understand the stress that the uncertainty causes for our families and our employees,” Stankus said. Along with sharing information, Upshur County Schools will continue to work closely with public health authorities to limit virus spread to allow for in-person instruction more consistently.

The blended model will continue through the end of the calendar year, and the central office, board of education, and the Re-entry Advisory Council will continue to meet to develop an outline of what school will look like after the holiday break in January.

Regarding food for next week, Wednesday is Veterans Day, so food box delivery is going to be on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 curbside from 11:00-1:00. Assuming we are back in school next week, we will be serving 3-day boxes for blended students and 5-day boxes for full time virtual. You may pick up the food boxes at any school near you or the Upshur County Warehouse. Thank you again for your patience as we work to keep our students, staff, and community safe.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.