Dare County school officials say graduation is a go this June for local high school seniors, with social distancing and safety protocols in place.
The school division intends to hold tradition ceremonies at First Flight High School on June 11 and Manteo High School and Cape Hatteras Secondary School on June 12.
The current seating capacity mandates are 30% both inside and outside, school officials said in a note home to families. They plan to provide more specific event information as we move through the spring.
Dare County Schools also plans to offer four days per week of in-person learning to students in grades 6-12 with individualized education programs or who are disabled.
The change allows Dare schools to comply with new state mandates passed by the North Carolina General Assembly requiring “in-person instruction under Plan A consisting of at least 4 days a week, and instruction under Plan B to the “maximum extent possible” while maintaining 6-foot social distancing,” Dare school officials said in a note to families.
“We are currently meeting the mandates of the new law and the state board’s guidelines except for one requirement … A local board shall provide the option to participate in Plan A instruction (at least 4 days a week), at the discretion of the student’s parent or guardian for students who have an individualized education program (IEP) or any student with a section 504 plan. Thus, Dare County Schools needs to offer those students an option to attend 4 days a week by April 1,” the note said.
In order to meet the mandate, the school division is opening up a registration process beginning today through next Tuesday, March 23 at 5 p.m. for all 6-12 students who have an individualized education program (IEP) or any student with a section 504 plan. In addition, the division intends to also offer students with English Development Plans (ESL/ELL) the same option.
Eligible families will receive an email with a link to registration.
Students who elect to return four days a week will begin on April 12, the first instructional day following spring break.
The Dare County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on April 1 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss the current instructional program operations and the new mandates required by state law in Senate Bill 220. The meeting will be streamed live via YouTube and will be held in the gymnasium at First Flight High School.
Vaccine Clinic for 16- and 17-Year-Olds
The Dare County Department of Health and Human Services has announced they will be receiving a special Pfizer vaccine allotment from the state. Pfizer is the only vaccine currently authorized for ages 16 and over. The Moderna and Janssen (J&J) vaccines are authorized for 18 and older.
The health department will be holding a Pfizer vaccine clinic on Monday, March 22, and is encouraging any 16- or 17-year-old who is interested in receiving the vaccine to register right away so they can be scheduled for this clinic. The second dose clinic will be on April 12. Registration is required and can be done online at www.darenc.com/departments/health-human-services/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/vaccine-registration or by emailing covid19@darenc.com. If you have any questions you may also call the Dare County COVID-19 call center at 252-475-5008.
