Richland 2 officials ask parents to stay ‘flexibile’ as COVID-19 alters school plans
Like everyone else, Richland 2 is taking the coronavirus pandemic one day at a time.
That’s why Superintendent Baron Davis urged students, parents and staff to remain “flexible,” in a Tuesday live-streamed online town hall.
After S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster’s Sunday announcement closing all public schools through the end of March, the district rushed to produce e-learning “packets” through the end of the day Monday.
“A lot changed between Friday and Sunday night,” Davis said.
Since most of the remote learning will be done using a computer, Davis urged any students who do not have the correct, working technology to reach out to the district to get that.
The district will also change the hours staff will work, but that will be announced Thursday, Davis said.
Davis and Richland 2 spokeswoman Libby Roof said that the coronavirus situation is changing so quickly that updates are only good for about a day, so they urged people to stay “flexible,” as more information comes in.
For example, earlier Tuesday, S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman announced she would be seeking a waiver for standardized tests, Davis said. Should that waiver be approved, it means there will not be SC READY and SCPASS tests. Davis did not outline a plan, should that happen, but encouraged parents to stay tuned.
“This is uncharted waters,” Davis said. “There’s no playbook for this.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.