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Vol. 36, No. 43 | Richmond Suburban News | January 20, 2021
More students want to resume face-to-face instruction
HCBOS,CHD join to distribute COVID vaccine
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER -- With the second semester only weeks away, Hanover County Public Schools officials are scrambling to adjust to an anticipated increased number of students returning to classroom instruction. When parents were given the option of returning students to in-face instruction in November, a substantial number of previously online students opted for face-to-face instruction. More than 1,250 requests were received from families of students wishing to return to in-class instruction, while 179 requests asked to switch from face-to-face to online learning programs. During the Tuesday, Jan. 12, meeting of the Hanover County School Board, Jennifer Greif, assistant superintendent in charge of instruction, said the increased number of returning students presented logistical challenges and required juggling some teacher positions, allowing the county to continue offering parents the choice of in-house versus online instruction. “Parents were given the opportunity to request a learning setting change back in see STUDENTS, pg. 13
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where those shots will be available for local residents. Franck presented supervi(Editor’s note: This is an sors with an updated review of evolving story. Late last week, COVID infections across the Governor Northam announced nation, the state and Hanover that persons 65 years and older County, and provided inforwith underlying medical condimation on the distribution of tions will be included in Phase 1b vaccines in the county. that begins this week. There were 91.6 That group was premillion cases and viously included in 1.9 million fatalities Group 1a.) reported worldwide HANOVER -on the day Franck Hanover County spoke. “The trend is citizens are asking going upon terms of the same question as percentages. It’s rathones being voiced in er alarming,” he said. communities across Regarding frethe nation: When quency and number DR. FRANCK can I get my vaccine of cases reported, for COVID-19? Franck described County officials Virginia as a mixed announced last week that a picture with some areas with double-barreled initiative to severe rates of infections while distribute the vaccine to counother portions of the state ty residents will utilize efforts record relatively low numbers. currently promoted by the “In general, I’d say Virginia Chickahominy Health District is right in the middle,” Franck and provide local clinics to bol- said as he recited recent state ster those efforts. numbers. Almost 408,000 Chickahominy Health cases have been reported in the District director Dr. Thomas Commonwealth, with more Franck provided important than 19,000 of those illnesses vaccine information to the requiring hospitalization. More Hanover County Board of than 5,400 Virginians have Supervisors at last Wednesday’s passed away due to COVID. see VACCINE, pg. 16 meeting, specifically when and
By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local
Photo submitted by Sara Hunt
Some Hanover County employees are shown at the Historic Hanover Courthouse, displaying their excitement about the #HereinHanoverVA campaign to extend the 300th birthday celebration into 2021. They are, from left, Sandra Moore, Conner Moncure, Gretchen Biernot and Harold Stills.
#HereinHanoverVA boosts celebrating 300th birthday
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Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
ANOVER – As each new year offers new opportunities, Hanover County officials are promoting #HereinHanoverVA, a campaign to honor the county’s recent 300th birthday by engaging the community, the greater Richmond Region and the Commonwealth in an extended celebration of the county’s vibrant past, present and future.
Established in November 1720, Hanover County had planned a number of events to recognize the tricentennial throughout 2020 with a grand culmination in the fall, but all of the festivities had to be canceled when the pandemic prevented large gatherings of people. “I consider 2021 as the jumping off point for a celebration of Hanover County as it is today and looking forward into the future as well as remembering our past,” said Hanover County Administrator John A. see 300TH, pg. 9