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‘We feel students are prepared to reenter’: Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools gearing up for school reentry

The discussion was led by WS/FCS interim superintendent Tricia McManus.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Editor's note: The attached video is from a previous story about the hiring of school tutors with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools during the pandemic.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education held a Special Called Meeting Tuesday night to further discuss and give an update on school reentry, according to school officials.

According to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system, as of Tuesday night grades 2nd, 3rd, and 6th are expected to reenter schools face-to-face January 11, grades 4, 5, 7 and 8 will reenter schools the week of January 18, and high schools will have in-person testing January 11-21, and return as soon as January 21.

The discussion was led by WS/FCS interim superintendent Tricia McManus.

“I have a vested interest in students,” McManus said. “I’ve spent a lot of time meeting with scientists, doctors, and researchers who have provided valuable information.”

McManus said after reading several articles, watching videos on metrics and data, and reading emails sent in from concerned parents and guardians, that much of what she’s read serve as “valid points.”

RELATED: WS/FCS Board of Education approves phased school reopening

“Schools are not COVID-19 spreaders,” she said. “(Over) 43,000 medical health scientists said lockdowns hurt and do not help communities.”

The school system gave a breakdown of the total percentage of WS/FCS students planning to return for in-person learning, which includes 61% of elementary students, 60.6% of middle school students, and 57% of high school students, according to school data presented at the meeting.

McManus said students and staff members are extremely important and school officials want nothing more than for everyone to be happy, healthy, and thriving.

She also gave consideration for faculty and staff upon school reentry.

“Just because I want students back in school does not mean I do not care deeply for our staff,” McManus said. “Our plan to bring schools back is based upon CDC guidelines.”

She said the school system is taking multiple measures to ensure safety during COVID-19 including ones such as social distancing elementary-aged students during lunches and school breakfast.

“We feel like we are prepared for students to reenter,” McManus said.

“As a board we are trying to work effectively with the leader of this school system,” WS/FCS Board Chair Malishai Woodbury said. “As a community we can work together to stay as safe as possible.”

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