By — Taylor Byrne

As this school year comes to a close, LCPS began to prepare for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.  Last Tuesday, May 18th, LCPS announced their new plan for five-day-a week in-person learning for all students. 

However, there are a few distance learning slots available, but the document continuously repeats that the only exception to returning for in-person learning would be due to health reasons. There is also an application you must fill out to be considered for one of the distance learning slots. The students in the classroom will not be taught concurrently with the few distance learning students, like it was the last two quarters. Those students who enroll in full-time distance learning will have a dedicated teacher for that class. 

To keep students healthy and safe LCPS will continue to follow the guidelines that the Virginia Department of Education provides. LCPS is also continuing to work with the Loudoun County Health Department for information on the guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). 

The policy on what students do if they have been exposed to COVID-19 has also changed.  Fully vaccinated students who have no symptoms do not need to quarantine. However, unvaccinated students, regardless of presence of symptoms, will need to quarantine. 

According to the statement that LCPS released, all meals provided by the school will be at no cost to the families. Those who are distance learning will also be able to receive a free meal through an offered walk up service. 

In the statement released by LCPS, they announced that for the upcoming school year, bus schedules, class schedules, and extracurriculars will all return to in-person, five days a week. However, changing Virginia Executive Orders or Virginia Department of Health guidelines may create alterations to the school year plan. 

Currently, LCPS has not provided a policy on social distancing, masks, or desk shields. They have stated that closer to the school year as the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health release new recommendations and updates, they will make a decision on these policies. As many know the CDC has recently stated that fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear a mask, however, LCPS did not address this in their statement. 

LCPS made it clear through a restatement of the five day week policy, that all students will be required to participate in five-day-a week instruction, no shorter weeks will be offered. There are a few distance learning slots, however those are reserved for students with health needs. Additionally, those few distance learners will be able to participate in clubs, sports and activities. However, no transportation will be provided to, but regular bussing after the activities will be available. 

At this time, this is the plan for the fall of the 2021-2022 LCPS school year. However, guidelines and regulations are subject to change as new information is released to the public. LCPS assured that as new information becomes available, they will monitor and address it throughout the summer and into the fall.