Inside A6 Cumberland answers school FAQs
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Post 201 player Waters commits to Georgetown College
Vol. XXXIV No. o. 5
August 5, 2020
Division offers virtual and hybrid school models By Laura McFarland
will remain on the hybrid schedule for at least the first nine weeks, but if the situation goes well, the school division hopes to bring more students back to the classroom all five days. However, Jones stressed this is a fluid situation involving constant reassessment and possible sudden changes as needed. (See more details about the two models on page 5A.) Voting for the combination hybrid and virtual models were chairman Joe Walters, who represents District 4, Rick Cole, District 1, and Susan Smith, District 2. Voting against it were Valarie Ayers, District 3, and Kim Hymel, District 5. The difficult vote followed several hours of information gathering and discussion at the July 28 meeting, but it was
Editor
P
OWHATAN – Families with students starting school at Powhatan County Public Schools on Aug. 24 will have the option of either attending via virtual learning or going in-person two to three days a week and doing the rest virtually. On Tuesday, July 28, the school board voted 3-2 in favor of the virtual and hybrid models recommended by PCPS staff for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Barring changes from the state level, families will choose between a full virtual model where they commit to that option for at least the first semester and a hybrid return to school model that will see students returning to school either part-time or full-time, depending on their ages. A hybrid model will be in place for all students for the first three weeks, at which point pre-kindergarten through third-grade students will began face-toface instructions full time, said Dr. Eric Jones, superintendent. Grades four to 12
see SCHOOL, pg. 4A
PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
The Powhatan County School Board listens to a presentation on the start of the 2020-2021 school year at its July 28 meeting. After receiving new information, the board voted 3-2 in favor of adopting a model where families can choose either virtual learning or a hybrid model of learning.
Return to school
Highlights page 3
Supervisors adopt resolution in support of 2nd Amendment
BSH to return with full in-person classes
By Laura McFarland
By Laura McFarland
Editor
Editor
POWHATAN – The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors recently voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in support of Powhatan County citizens’ and visitors’ fundamental right to keep and bear arms. During the board’s meeting on Monday, July 27, the supervisors passed a resolution that declared that Powhatan “shall not exercise any authority granted to it by § 15.2-915(E) of the Code of Virginia to regulate or prohibit the otherwise legal purchase, posPHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND session, or transfer of firearms or amA large crowd attended the board of supervisors meetmunition.”
POWHATAN – Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School has announced that it will be open for inperson classroom instruction five days a week for all students when its new school year starts on Aug. 25. Blessed Sacrament will have record enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year, with the local private school already experiencing a long wait list for its early childhood and elementary school classes, said Paula Ledbetter, head of school. The school’s maximum capacity for early childhood and elementary
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
ing on July 27 with many of them expressing support of a resolution to defend the Second Amendment.
This law, which went into effect on July 1, 2020, gives a locality the right to adopt an ordinance that prohibits the
possession, carrying, or transportation of any firearms, ammunition, or combination of the see BOARD, pg. 7A
school is about 200 students, which has already been met, she said. The school still has spots in its middle and high school classes, but she added the middle school is filling up quickly. The school’s ideal capacity is about 350 students total, and enrollment is currently on track to meet that goal, she added. “There are moments where it is overwhelming, but I am extremely grateful because for years we have worked to be in this place. Despite enrollment is increasing because of COVID and a health crisis, we have worked very hard to have our school in this position where we can accomsee BSH, pg. 2A
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Company 2 welcomes heavy rescue into service
PHOTO COURTESY OF HUGUENOT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Members of Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department are shown with a new heavy rescue that went into service on July 27. See full story on page 3A.
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