Update on Academic Instruction, Child Care, and Free Meal Distribution for Children/Teens

March 16, 2020

Dear Catawba County Schools families,

Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our students and employees. We have put together a plan that will ensure that our students are fed, our employees are paid, and our students continue learning – all while doing our part to help limit the spread of COVID-19. We have communicated our plans with our employees, but wanted our families to know we are doing our best to take care of everyone. 

As with every communication we have sent out since the outbreak began, the plan outlined below could change with further guidance from the state. So thank you again for your continued patience and flexibility.

Academic Instruction

Our staff will be preparing three weeks of academic instruction (through April 9th) in case Governor Cooper orders schools to be closed longer. Our academic goal right now is to maintain the learning our students have already done, and not to introduce too much new material that may be more difficult to learn in a distance-learning setting.

• At-Home Learning for students will begin on Monday, March 23.  
• School buildings will be open on Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, for parents to collect items needed for At-Home Learning. 
  • Your principal will communicate your school’s specific instructions and pickup times to ensure that no more than 50 people will be gathered at one time.

Grades PreK – 5th

• Parents should pick up work packets on Thursday and Friday that will cover three weeks of instruction.
• Your schools and teachers will give specific instructions about these work packets. 
• Online instruction will NOT be required. However, parents will have the option to check out a Chromebook for supplemental online learning opportunities if you do not have a computer at home. 
• Beginning on March 23, teachers will be accessible either by phone or virtually to help students and parents as needed. They will also be communicating with you during this time.

Grades 6th – 12th

• Online instruction will begin on Monday, March 23. 
• If you do not have your school-issued Chromebook at home,  you may pick it up on Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, during the times specified by your principal.
• For students without reliable internet: A limited number of hotspots are available to students ages 13 and up. Please contact your media coordinator if needed. Some companies like Charter are offering free internet for 2 months to non-Charter companies.
• If online learning is not an option for students, we will make alternate arrangements.

Specific Considerations 

• Exceptional Children (EC) Instruction –  Please contact your EC teacher directly as we will attempt to meet students IEP goals virtually. If we are unable, then we will revisit it when we return to school. 
• AP Class Instruction – This group will move ahead with new content. Teachers will give specific instructions.
• NC Virtual Public School (NCVPS) – Classes will be operating regularly.
• Online Catawba – Classes will resume online on Monday, March 23.
• LR Scholars Classes – Classes will resume online on Monday, March 23.
• CCP Classes from CVCC and other CVCC classes – Classes will resume online on Monday, March 23, if possible.  Students need to look for direction from CVCC instructors and monitor their website at www.cvcc.edu   
• SAT has been canceled world-wide through May 5, 2020. Click for more information

Childcare

For now, Quest will remain closed until we receive further guidance from the state. We understand that this is causing a lot of frustration and hardships for many of our families. When we receive more information from the state regarding childcare, we will notify families as soon as possible.

Meal Distribution During School Closures

We are happy to announce that we will be offering breakfast and lunch to all children 18 years old and younger for free. Meals can be picked up at 14 locations.

Grab-n-Go Meals

Wednesday, March 18 until at least Friday, March 27

Pickup between 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM*

H.M. Arndt Middle School – 3350 34th St Dr. NE, Hickory, NC 28601 

Balls Creek Elementary – 2620 Balls Creek Road, Newton, NC 28658 

Blackburn Elementary – 4377 West NC Hwy 10, Newton, NC 28658 

Bunker Hill High School – 4675 Oxford School Road, Claremont, NC 28610 

Catawba Elementary School – 5415 Hudson Chapel Road, Catawba, NC 28609 

C.H. Tuttle Elementary School – 2872 Water Plant Road, Maiden, NC 28650 

Claremont Elementary School – 3384 East Main Street, Claremont, NC 28610 

Fred T. Foard High School – 3407 Plateau Road, Newton, NC 28658 

Lyle Creek Elementary School – 1845 Edgewater Dr. NW, Conover, NC 28613 

Maiden Elementary School – 201 North Main Avenue, Maiden, NC 28650 

Maiden High School – 600 West Main Street, Maiden, NC 28650 

Mill Creek Middle School – 1041 Shiloh Road, Claremont, NC, 28610 

Oxford Elementary School – 5915 Oxford School Road, Claremont, NC 28610 

St. Stephens Elementary School – 684 30th St. NE, Conover, NC 28613 

Snow Creek Elementary School – 3238 Snow Creek Road, Hickory, NC 28601 

Webb A. Murray Elementary School – 3901 Section House Road, Hickory, NC 28601