Alex Sakes also contributed to this report.

In a press release issued Friday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam outlined his administration’s reopening plans for Virginia’s K-12 public schools, calling on them to provide an in-person learning option 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). Citing significant learning losses over the past year, Governor Northam also encouraged school divisions to offer optional classroom instruction during the summer months for those who choose.

In a statewide letter to Superintendents and School Board Members, Governor Northam stated: “Many Virginia students are approaching a full year without in-person access to their school communities. This is having a real and significant impact on their educational and social development— but after a year of experience, we are now equipped as a society to safely open schools and operate them in ways that protect students, teachers, and staff members. Nearly two-thirds of Virginia’s 133 school divisions have demonstrated the ability to do this. But about 40 school divisions currently offer no in-person options, preventing nearly 500,000 students from entering the classroom. This needs to change, even if the decision is difficult.”

Governor Northam further outlined that a return to in-person instruction should begin by prioritizing students who were most impacted by the shift to virtual instruction, including students with disabilities, students from preschool through third grade, and English language learners, stating: “We know that virtual instruction is less effective for many of these students, and providing in-person learning opportunities will have a profoundly positive impact on their learning and well-being. But plans for in-person learning cannot and should not extend only to these students, and you must begin planning now for the eventual safe return of all students for in-person learning. It’s clear that not all students or staff will be comfortable coming back in person for a while. So as you develop plans to offer in-person instruction to students who wish to return, you should also plan to maintain remote learning options and consistently employ mitigation strategies recommended by the Virginia Department of Health and the CDC.”

This comes at a time in which Prince William County prepares to open schools next month. There are still numerous questions that have to be answered during the re-opening process, such as staffing issues for teachers, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. In addition, school administrators must deal with the potential psychological effects that Black and Brown students will face upon re-entry.

The PW Perspective reached out to the Prince William Education Association, who released the following statement: “PWEA acknowledges the thousands of PWCS staff members who have reported in-person since the first day of school. Our educators who report virtually are working around the clock to ensure students are provided a quality education. We continue to advocate for all employees to have access to vaccines, the Division provide accommodations to staff with disabilities, and clear communication and greater transparency with mitigation strategies and COVID cases in our schools. We continue to work as a partner with the Division and School Board to ensure the safety of our students and staff.”

Fred Lynn Middle School teacher and advocate Oveta Scott offered this response to the announcement. “It’s very disappointing that [Northam] would come up with this plan considering he is a doctor. What will be the procedure? Can the teachers get vaccinated and receive full transparency about how the school day will be?”

“What this year has taught me, the world doesn’t respect my profession.”