Brabrand: Schools could reopen April 14

Brabrand

Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand said he hopes schools could reopen on April 14. That might not be possible, however, he said in a Facebook Live briefing on March 20. “Circumstances could change,” as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to spread.

Brabrand said FCPS will provide more information early next week on how schools can distribute laptops and other devices to students who need them, along with devices and instructions for accessing the internet at home. That will be done in accordance with guidelines on social distancing.

FCPS is working on providing devices to students with disabilities, he said, and has resources online for accommodating these students at home.

FCPS had planned to give out laptops on March 16, but that was cancelled after it was announced that a teacher at Lynbrook Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19. Brabrand said that school was given an especially deep cleaning by 35 cleaning technicians.

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Instructional staff are working on a plan for training teachers in distance learning, Brabrand said. “Distance learning is no substitute for face-to face-instruction,” he said. “This is not an optimal situation. We need to do the best we can with the hand we’ve been dealt.”

Brabrand plans to wait as long as possible to decide whether graduation ceremonies and proms should be delayed. Spring sports could still happen if schools reopen on April 14, but it’s too early to know if that will happen.

“Gradebooks are not closed,” Brabrand said, so students will be able to complete all assignments before the end of the third quarter.

He said FCPS is committed to paying staff during the closure, and he will announce a plan next week for paying substitute teachers.

No decision has been made on whether the school year will be extended.