GCPS closed for minimum of two weeks following Governor Northam declaring State of emergency

Schools state-wide are closed to prevent the further spread to the novel coronavirus.

Dispatch Staff

Gloucester County public schools will be closed from Monday, March 16th until Friday, March 27th following Governor Ralph Northam's declaration of a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak. The closure is to last for a minimum of two weeks, though localities may elect to remain closed for longer.

"Grab-and-Go" lunches will be made available to students on Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17. Breakfast may be picked up between 8:30-9:30, while lunch can be picked up between 11:30-12:30. These meals will be made available at each Gloucester County public school in the hallways outside of each main office.

Plans are underway to pursue long-term, online learning. Monday the 16th is a non-essential staff workday for teachers to try and develop online lessons curriculum.

GCPS superintendent Dr. Walter Clemons announced the closings in a county-wide call out that detailed plans moving forward, stating, "all employees, however, should report to work at their regularly scheduled times on Monday, March 16th, as this allows us to continue our plan for planning for instruction for students as well as cleaning our buildings. Supervisors will contact employees if there any exceptions regarding adjustments to work hours. Also, we will be providing continuous updates as they become available and deemed appropriate."

In a statement made on the governor's website, Northam defended his decision by stating, “I recognize this will pose a hardship on many families, but closing our schools for two weeks will not only give our staff time to clean and disinfect school facilities, it will help slow the spread of this virus. This is a fluid and fast-changing situation. We will do everything possible to ensure that students who rely on school nutrition programs continue to have access to meals, and that the disruption to academics is as minimal as possible.”

45 cases of covid-19 have been confirmed in Virginia, with one fatality reported. The governor is expected to further address the pandemic at 3:00 on March 16th. The Virginia Department of Health has released a statement encouraging the following behaviors to manage further contamination:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Stay home when you are sick
• Avoid contact with sick people
• Avoid non-essential travel