• Families, 

     

    Thank you for your patience, understanding and support during these unprecedented times. We know that you have many questions surrounding your child’s learning through the current May 15 school closure and beyond.

     

    Children are our priority.  We share your deep concern for their safety and well-being. Despite all the challenges our community faces with online instruction, our students deserve the right to continue learning. 

     

    As such, WCPSS is developing a comprehensive remote learning plan that best meets the needs of all 162,000 students.  You can expect a few bumps along the way, but we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our students have the opportunities that they need and deserve.

     

    Between now and the first week of April, we will expand continuous remote learning to include more structured learning via online student and teacher interaction. 

     

    Here’s what you’ll see in the coming weeks: 

     

    • Technology, training and planning for teachers | This week, we are distributing laptops to teachers as needed, funded by the 2018 school bond. We’ve also started remote training for teachers and staff around the delivery of remote learning activities. Principals, grade-level teams and groups of teachers are coordinating and will continue to develop plans to support their students. 
    • Remote continuous learning begins | If they haven’t already, students will begin hearing from teachers between now and the week of March 30. During this time, teachers may check on your contact information and discuss if you have internet access at home. Teachers may send you introductions to new material and resources to review existing material.
    • AP classes resources | Advanced Placement students can use this  AP site to review resources, take 45-minute webinars, review and study during this week. 
    • Delivery of hard-copy general instruction packets and technology for students | We are keenly aware that not all students have devices, materials or internet access at home. We are working through those issues as well, including students without access, so that we can provide resources to those who need them. Please know that we are thinking about all of our families to ensure equity in learning. In the coming weeks, we’ll begin to deliver these resources to students. 
    • Regularly scheduled Spring Break and Track-outs | The state has asked that school districts adhere to their existing schedules, at this time. While some teachers and students may continue working together remotely during scheduled breaks if they choose, parents can expect that engagement will be lower during scheduled breaks. 
    • Students who receive special education services | In light of current circumstances, we maintain our commitment to students with disabilities. In the coming weeks, school district staff, along with teachers and administrators from your child's school, will work to determine how best to provide continuous learning to students with disabilities in a remote learning environment. In addition, if your child has an annual review or transition meeting scheduled between March 16 and May 15, you will be contacted to determine your availability for a virtual meeting. As a reminder, supplemental learning resources for students with disabilities are available now on our website.
    • Grading and other questions | We are awaiting guidance from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction regarding how grading and assessments will occur and will share more information about grading and assessments in the coming days. 

     

    We understand the significant differences between remote instruction and the value of face-to-face interactions in the classroom. So far, 60,000 people have taken advantage of WCPSS’ Remote Learning Resources website. Parents have provided valuable feedback, and we’ve used that feedback to improve the website. However, we have to acknowledge that remote learning cannot replace classroom instruction. Despite these limitations, we do believe that these plans will help our students continue to learn and grow while at home. 

     

    Again, these are unprecedented times and unchartered waters. Please know that we will soon have answers for all of your questions as we continue to deploy remote learning in the Wake County Public School System. We continue to appreciate your patience and support as we work through these efforts

     

    More information available at www.wcpss.net/coronavirus.