Dear LCS families,
We continue our commitment to provide our students with an excellent education while ensuring the safety and health of our school community. Unfortunately, the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 infection has resulted in a number of recent decisions to modify our status in the Return to Learn initiative.
On Tuesday, December 15, after review of the post-Thanksgiving holiday COVID-19 data and in consideration of the upcoming December holiday break, our LCS school board made the difficult decision to extend Phase 2 remote-only learning for all LCS students through January 8, 2021. Students who were participating in hybrid learning during the first semester will return to in-person learning on January 11, 2021.
The extension of Phase 2 will allow us to examine COVID-19 numbers and respond accordingly before returning to hybrid learning on January 11, 2021. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 data during the holiday break and keep the community informed of any trends prior to returning to hybrid learning on January 11.
The school board also voted that athletics would follow Phase 2 (enhanced) along with instruction. Further, given the rise in community COVID-19 cases in Lynchburg and surrounding Seminole District communities, a recommendation to delay athletic competition until January is being considered by the Seminole District. During this time, LCS athletes and coaches may continue to engage in small group pod work as indicated in the Phase 2 (enhanced) Guidelines.
Finally, as COVID-19 cases increase, the School Board will continue to ensure the safety of LCS staff, board members, and the community. For this reason, the school board will temporarily suspend in-person public comments during school board meetings for the period of January 1-31, 2021. Public comments are welcomed by either sending a written statement to the school board clerk at [email protected] or by leaving a voice message at (434) 515-5077 by 3:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Written statements will be read aloud by the chair/vice-chair, and voice messages will be played during the public comment section of the school board meeting. We continue to encourage the public to view LCS School Board meetings live on our LCS YouTube Channel or Comcast Cable Channel 17.
School Board Meeting Schedules, Agendas, and Videos
The safety and health of our students, staff and community remain a major concern for Lynchburg City Schools. We sincerely hope that as the COVID-19 pandemic comes under control in our community we will be able to return to in person learning for all schools and students.