Update #8: Urgent Special Announcement (March 15)

Please read this important message for families and staff regarding the school closure beginning on March 16.

Translations are available in Spanish, Ukrainian, Chinese, Russian, and Romanian-Moldovan.

Dear BCS Families:

Thank you for your patience as we refine our plans and prepare for our school system closure beginning March 16.

First, parents and guardians may pick up any needed items from our schools beginning Monday, March 16. Please come Monday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. And on Tuesday, during normal school hours. Please call the school if you need an alternate time to pick up your child’s school items, including devices, chargers, or take-home kits (take-home kits are for grades K-3 only).

We will send a separate announcement later when we officially launch BCS Virtual Days. Until then, parents are free to work with their children on the enrichment activities of your choice.

*Please note that BC Early and Middle College are on their own calendar. These students will receive separate instructions.

Regarding our breakfast and lunch services, If your children (ages 2-18) would like to participate in our meal service that begins Monday, March 16. The locations and times are as follows:

Breakfast is 7:30am-8:30am and Lunch is 11:30am-1:30pm.

Oakley Elementary,
Johnston Elementary,
Emma Elementary,
West Buncombe Elementary,
Woodfin Elementary,
Hominy Valley Elementary,
Pisgah Elementary,
Owen High School,
Black Mountain Primary,
Weaverville Elementary,
North Windy Ridge Intermediate,
and, Estes Elementary.

Thanks to our community partners, we will also provide you with extra food boxes for the adults and elderly who live in your household.

Finally, regarding childcare, we are going to pass along information concerning child care opportunities across our district as it becomes finalized.

In closing, our general guidance from health officials to our students is please avoid congregating in large groups, stay home unless it is necessary to go out and maintain the same healthy hygiene standards emphasized by our staff and school nurses: wash your hands frequently, cover your cough with your sleeve, stay home if you feel ill or have a fever, and avoid touching your face, especially with unwashed hands.

Dear BCS Employees:

Thank you for your patience as we continue to seek guidance and clarity regarding this unprecedented school closure. We will provide daily communication regarding the work schedule this week. We ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation day by day.

Tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2020, will be a regular workday and all the usual rules regarding using accrued leave will apply. All employees should report to work to receive work assignments and to get more information on work assignments moving forward. You will be paid.

If you cannot report to work because you are sick, immuno-compromised or living with someone who is sick, please notify your supervisor.

**Employees whose only job is driving a bus, if able, should report to their assigned school at 8am for work assignments. Your job assignment will be determined when you arrive at school. (PEP Bus drivers will receive a separate communication.)

To clarify, BCS Virtual Days will not begin tomorrow (Monday). We need to ensure that the device distribution effort is complete before we can launch this program.

This is an evolving situation and we will provide updates tomorrow and in the days ahead. Thank you.

DISTRICT

Elementary

Intermediate

Middle

High

Other

Buncombe County Schools