More help coming for Chesapeake students who are struggling

CHESAPEAKE — While most Chesapeake students who chose in-person school are there just two days a week, some could start getting more days in class under a new plan meant to help students who are struggling.

Principals could choose to have those students in the building three or even four days a week, as long as their schools have room to host them while maintaining social distancing.

Superintendent Jared Cotton’s recommendation was unanimously approved during a School Board meeting Monday night.

Spacing concerns and social distancing requirements prevent middle and high school students who chose an on-campus learning option from being in school five days a week, Cotton told board members. Plus, he said, it’s easier to keep elementary students — who are going to the building five days a week — in cohorts as they move between classes.

“But while we can’t do it all, we know we can do more,” the superintendent said Monday night.

The majority of students in grades 6-12 who selected the school division’s on-campus option will continue to fall under a “blended” model of two days of learning in the classroom and three at home. Students who have opted to remain virtual will continue to learn remotely.

What’s new is that principals can give extra time on campus to students who are not performing well academically or have other extenuating circumstances like mental health issues.

Other school districts in Virginia have made similar decisions, prioritizing groups of students like English learners and students with disabilities, as well as students who aren’t thriving under distance learning, said Charles Pyle, spokesman with the Virginia Department of Education.

“We can look at the data and see that virtual learning is not a great fit for all students,” Pyle said, adding certain assessments school divisions shared with the state showed that students were underperforming in areas like math at the elementary and middle school levels.

Like Chesapeake, other schools in Hampton Roads that have opted to bring students back to the building have prioritized the youngest students, English learners and students with disabilities. Hampton schools began bringing back pre-K and kindergarten students Feb. 22 under a blended model of some at-home and some in-person learning. Those students started in-person school in November, but the district was all virtual since winter break.

This week, first, second, third, sixth and ninth graders, along with some English learners, began coming back. The remaining grades will come back March 15. In a return-to-school plan provided by a spokeswoman, the district listed no specific steps for students who are struggling academically.

Seventh through 12th graders in Virginia Beach who opted for in-person learning began returning late last month after a pause for virtual learning. Younger students began coming back before that. In an email, schools spokeswoman Sondra Woodward wrote that the district encourages families to reach out to their principal or counselor if a student is struggling so a plan can be made to help.

“During this pandemic, the division has provided families with both in-person and virtual instruction options, and continues to offer flexibility individually when it is needed, while also being mindful of scheduling, staffing and health mitigation protocols,” the statement reads.

Portsmouth and Norfolk have remained virtual through the year, but Norfolk will bring some back next week and more in April. Portsmouth’s School Board approved a plan to bring some elementary-schoolers back in April, but others will stay virtual the rest of the school year.

In Chesapeake, students have been returning to the classroom since mid-September, under a phased approach.

Under the plan approved Monday night, principals will follow a specific set of criteria to choose students who might need extra help and schools will begin contacting families this Monday.

First priority will be given to high school seniors in jeopardy of not graduating and then high school students with a D or E average in two or more classes. Principals can also bring back students with chronic absenteeism and students who are homeless.