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297 Stanley Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 Phone: 276-739-3300

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope the following information will be of assistance as we prepare to return to school.

When is the first day of school?  

August 24th

When do I come to school?

 

That depends on….

 

A Group (Last Name begins with A through K) will have their first in person day on Monday, August 24th.  B Group will have their first Virtual class that day.  .

 

B Group (Last Name begins with L through Z) will have their first in person day on Thursday, August 27th. 

 

Virtual Students will begin on Monday, August 24th.  These students will not come to school in person.  

 

Teachers will be contacting students soon providing information on how to access their online classes.

 

What are some of the things the school is doing to adhere to Social Distancing guidelines?

 

  • Students will be scheduled in a class and stay with that group of students throughout the day.  The only students who will have a different exploratory class will be those who requested band and chorus. Some students may not get their first choice of Exploratory classes.
  • Students will eat breakfast and lunch in their classrooms.  
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be available at each entrance.  Students will have access to hand sanitizer in their classrooms as well as the opportunity to wash their hands.  
  • Classrooms will be cleaned after each class exits and before the next class enters.  Intense cleaning will occur at night and on Wednesday when students are not in the building.  The buses will be cleaned after each group of students are unloaded.
  • Students will wear masks on the bus and as they transition through the hallways. 
  • All transition times will be staggered to reduce the number of students in the hallway.
  • Restroom breaks will be scheduled.  Students who need to use the restroom at other times will sign out on a sheet in their classroom and back in when they return.

 

Will my child have to wear a mask to school?


Yes.

  • On the bus
  • In the hallways
  • At all times when 6 feet social distancing cannot be maintained
  • *Teachers who are high risk may ask students to wear a mask during class.

One cloth mask will be provided by the school.  Additionally disposable masks will be made available as needed.

What are the expectations for those riding the bus?

   

    All students will be 

  • Asked to wear a mask
  • Sit in an assigned seat with siblings

Students will not be allowed to bring in bus notes to be dropped off with their friends or at locations that are not their home or the location of their caregiver.  Buses are limited in the number of students that can ride at one time.

 

Temporarily, there will not be a bus to take students from EBSMS to AHS in the afternoon for sports or band practice.

Will attendance be taken?

Yes.

When students are in the classroom, attendance will be taken.  If a child is absent on a day, he/she should be in school, parents are asked to call the school.  


In the virtual classroom, teachers will use a variety of methods to verify “attendance”.  Students may be asked to complete an assignment, participate in an activity, engage in an online discussion, participate in a live Zoom, etc. 


Students without internet access will be asked to submit their work when they have access.  Students will need to discuss their access issues with their teachers to make arrangements for completing assignments and for attendance.


Due to COVID 19 and the various schedules on which we will operate this year, EBSMS will not provide awards for attendance (perfect or excellent) at the end of the year.

What is the cost of breakfast and lunch?


All meals are free!

This year every student in Washington County Schools will receive free breakfast and lunch.  Additionally on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, students will receive extra meals to take home for the days they are not in attendance.  Arrangements will be made for 100% virtual students to pick up meals too.

 

Will students have PE & Recess?

Yes.

Students will have a scheduled gym period in 6th and 7th grades.  Additionally, students will have recess.  During all activities, students will need to follow social distancing guidelines.

 

Will visitors be allowed in the school?


No.

Anyone who comes to school to pick up or drop off a student, materials, etc. will not be allowed in the building.  Please ring the doorbell and we will help with your request.