Students will return to in-person learning on Nov. 4th

Mercer County is YELLOW on the WVDE map today. Mercer County students will return to in-person learning on Wednesday, Nov. 4th under Model B (50% of students each day) for elementary and secondary students on the following schedule:

Additional Covid Case at BMS

An additional positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed at Bluefield Middle School. All Mercer County students are learning remotely from October 21st-November 3rd. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing.

Two additional Covid cases at BMS 10/27

Two additional positive Covid-19 cases have been confirmed at Bluefield Middle School (one yesterday and one today). All Mercer County students are learning remotely from October 21st-October 30th. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing.

Additional Case of Covid-19 at Glenwood 10/22

An additional positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed at Glenwood School requiring additional student and staff to be quarantined. Those affected have been notified.

Positive Covid-19 Case at Glenwood School

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed at Glenwood School. All Mercer County students are learning remotely from October 21st-October 30th. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid Cases at Bluefield Middle 10/21 

Two positive Covid-19 cases have been confirmed at Bluefield Middle School. All Mercer County students are learning remotely from October 21st-October 30th. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

BMS & Glenwood Volleball teams quarantined

Due to positive Covid-19 cases, the Glenwood and Bluefield Middle School's volleyball teams have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing.

PVHS Cross Country Team Quarantined

Due to a positive Covid-19 case, the PikeView High School cross country team has been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing.

Positive case at PVHS 10/19

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at PikeView High School. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Positive Case at Mountain Valley School 10/19

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed at Mountain Valley School. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Additional Covid Case at Mercer School 10/18

An additional positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed at Mercer School.  Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined.  The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing.  Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid-19 case at Brushfork 10/18

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at Brushfork School.  Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined.  The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing.  Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed. 

Week of October 19-23

Straley School Remote Learning beginning 10/19

Due to the positive cases of Covid-19 and the number of staff required to quarantine, Straley School will move to remote learning starting Monday, October 19th. An announcement will be made when students may return for in-person school. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid-19 Case at Straley School 10/17

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at Straley School.  Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined.  The Mercer County Health department will conduct futher contact tracing.  Deep cleaning and disinfection of all affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid Case at Mercer School 10/17

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at Mercer School.  Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined.  The Mercer County Health department will conduct futher contact tracing.  Deep cleaning and disinfection of all affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid Case Adult Program at MCTEC 10/16

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed in an adult education program at Mercer County Technical Education Center. All staff and students known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid Case at Glenwood School 10/16

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at Glenwood School. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Positive Covid Cases at PVHS 10/15

There are 3 positive Covid-19 cases at PikeView High School. The three individuals were previously quarantined and will remain quarantined. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Non-Traditional Day 10/16

Tomorrow, October 16, 2020, is a scheduled non-tradtional day.  All students remain home and learn remotely.  Staff will report to school as usual.

Positive Covid Case at Straley 10/14

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at Straley School. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Additional Bluefield High Positive Covid Case 10/14

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for a student at Bluefield High School. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

Princeton Middle School's 7th grade to move to remote

There is a confirmed case of Covid-19 at Princeton Middle School.  Due to the number of staff ordered to quarantine, the 7th grade students at Princeton Middle School will move to remote learning beginning Wednesday, October 14th.  An announcement will be made when these students may return to in-person instruction.  Sixth and 8th grade students will continue to report to school as usual.  Again, only 7th grade students are moving to remote.  All sports activities are suspended until further notice.

Princeton High School returning to remote 10/14

There is an additional confirmed case of Covid-19 at Princeton High School. Due to the number of staff ordered to quarantine, Princeton High School will move to remote learning beginning Wednesday, October 14th. An announcement will be made when students may return to in-person instruction. All sports activities are suspended until further notice.

Covid Quarantine FAQ's:

Q:   How is it decided who must quarantine and who doesn’t? 

A:   People who have had 15 minutes of close contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19 have to quarantine.  For example, if a student in a class tests positive, the entire class and teacher would have to quarantine as well as students on their bus and bus driver.  Students in other classes would not have to quarantine because they were not in close contact with the positive person for 15 minutes.  Another example:  if someone in your household must quarantine because he/she came in close contact for at least 15 minutes of someone with Covid-19, that doesn’t mean you have to quarantine.  You were not in contact with the positive person, your family member was.  If your family member eventually tests positive, then you must quarantine. 

Information from the CDC: Who needs to Quarantine?  People who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. 

What counts as close contact? 

• You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more 
• You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19 
• You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them) 
• You shared eating or drinking utensils 

• They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you 

Q:  How is the decision made to close a school and go remote? 

A:  It all comes down to how many positive cases there are and how many teachers must quarantine.  Many times, the decision to go remote comes down to not having enough teachers/substitutes in the building to supervise all the students due to the number of teachers/staff who are ordered to quarantine.  If students in multiple grade levels test positive, all their teachers must quarantine.  If it is one teacher, then just that teacher and his/her students must quarantine.  The rest of the school can continue in-person instruction.  In these cases, the health department gets class lists from the school, conducts contact tracing, and notifies all who need to quarantine. 

Q:  Who makes these decisions? 

A:  Once the central office is notified of the positive case, we work with the Mercer County Health Department to determine if a group can be quarantined or if the entire school must close and go remote.   

Positive Covid Case at BHS

A positive Covid-19 case has been confirmed for an employee at Bluefield High School. Students and staff known to be exposed have been quarantined. The Mercer County Health Department will conduct further contact tracing. Deep cleaning and disinfecting of all affected areas will be completed.

PikeView Middle School Going Remote

There is a confirmed case of Covid-19 at PikeView MIDDLE School. In an abundance of caution, PikeView MIDDLE School will move to all remote instruction beginning Monday, October 12th. An announcement of when students may return to in-person school will occur after further contact tracing by the Mercer County Health Department. All sports activities including games and practices are suspended until further notice. 

Title I presents: "Title Tuesday Virtual P.D. Series for October" 

"Schoology for K-2 Teachers"

by: Heather Farley, Technology Integration Specialist

"Schoology for 3-5 Teachers"

by: Jarrod O'Dell, Technology Integration Specialist

October 20th

 2:45 - 4:15 

via TEAMS

Participate from your classroom.

$75 stipend

Look for Invitation Soon!

Virtual College Exploration

WVACRAO is proud to present our Virtual College Exploration program, for all West Virginia students, October 12 - October 29. Registration is now open for students, parents, and counselors. 

The multi-week program consists of hundreds of opportunities for students to learn about the college search process and about many different colleges through panel presentations and information sessions.  

Students will gain a wealth of college knowledge, get exposure to a variety of colleges, and have the opportunity to ask questions of admission counselors, all in a safe, flexible, online environment. 

All high school students, parents, and counselors throughout West Virginia are all welcome to attend. Participation is free. 

Students should participate live so they can ask questions and interact with the college admission counselors. If students are unable to attend live, we still encourage them to register for the sessions they are interested in and recordings will be available on the WVACRAO website later.

View the Schedule

https://www.wvacrao.org/studentaccess

Important Dates on the Modified Calendar for 2020-2021 School Year 

There are no 2-hour early dismissals this school year 

*Social Studies Fair, Science Fair, Math Field Day, Spelling Bee, and other group events will be announced as we receive information.   

• October 16, 2020:  NT Day (Non-Traditional Day)-staff report, students stay home and complete remote assignments.  This is considered an instructional day 
• November 3, 2020:  Election Day-No School 
• November 11, 2020:  Veteran’s Day-No School 
• November 26-27:  Fall Break-No School.  November 25th has been converted to an instructional day 
• December 23, 2020:  NT Day-staff report, students stay home and complete remote assignments.  This is considered an instructional day. 

• December 24-January 1st:  Winter Break-No School 
• January 18, 2021:  MLK Day-No School 
• January 20, 2021: End of First Semester 
• February 26, 2021:  NT Day-staff report, students stay home and complete remote assignments.  This is considered an instructional day. 
• April 2nd & 5th:  OS Days (may be taken for snow) 
• April 23, 2021:  NT Day-staff report, students stay home and complete remote assignments.  This is considered an instructional day. 
• May 21, 2021:  NT Day-staff report, students stay home and complete remote assignments.  This is considered an instructional day. 
• May 28, 2021:  Students’ Last Day 
• May 31, 2021:  Memorial Day-No School 
• June 1, 2021:  Teacher Workday-closing of school 
• June 1-30, 2021:  OS Days (if taken for snow) 

 School Re-opening FAQ’s 

Q:   Why are we going back to the school buildings? 

A:  Mercer County Schools has been charged with opening schools for the 2020-2021 school year.  Health and safety guidelines from the WVDE and WVDHHR are throughout our reopening plan.  Going 100% remote is not an option for Mercer County due to the number of students who do not have internet access at home, therefore a 100% remote model would be reserved for an uncontrolled outbreak of the pandemic in our area and a directive to do so from the governor. 

Q:  Why are the days shortened? 

A:  The first reason is so custodial staff have ample time to deep clean the buildings. 

The second is bus transportation. There are limitations to the number of students who can ride a bus.  The shortened days and staggered start and ending times between elementary, middle, and high schools allows for more bus runs which means buses aren’t as crowded. 

The third reason is it allows us to have smaller class sizes in the school buildings.  During a normal day, teachers have a planning period and a duty-free lunch period in between teaching students.  In both models, teachers’ planning periods and duty-free lunches are outside of the students’ instructional day.  Therefore, that gives us more teachers to put into the classes which reduces class size. 

Q:  Why is there such a limited drop off time in the mornings? 

A:  On a normal day, some buses drop students off over an hour before the instructional day begins.  Students would congregate in cafeterias and gyms until it was time to go to the classroom.  We can no longer have large groups of students congregating.  When students arrive at school, they go directly to their classroom. 

Some schools will not start the instructional day exactly on time due to the sheer numbers of students and staff having to monitor hallways to keep kids moving, and that is understood.  Some slight adjustments may be made after the school year starts. 

Parents and buses may not drop students off until the documented time because we must ensure all teachers are present to receive their students and, in some cases, state mandated planning periods and duty-free lunches are at the beginning of the day. 

Q:  What about working parents who have students at multiple schools with different drop off times? 

A:  We understand this is a hardship for many.  Mercer County Schools are bound to the guidelines provided by the WVDE and WVDHHR.  We must try to keep class sizes smaller, create less crowding on buses, and follow rigorous cleaning protocol.  As soon as the risk of Covid-19 is at a level where public health officials and the WVDE feel is manageable, we will go back to a normal schedule.   

If your children are attending in-district schools, our school buses are always an option. 

Q:  I have a child in elementary and a child in middle school.  How will they get to school on the bus since the start times are different? 

A:  Your elementary child will need to be at the bus stop earlier, and your middle school child later.  Again, this is to maintain social distancing as much as possible on the bus. 

Q:  Why does my child have to wear a mask or face covering? 

A:  The CDC says one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of Covid-19 is the wearing of face coverings.  The CDC and WVDE requirement is that masks or face coverings are required when social distancing cannot be maintained or if students are outside their regular classroom and/or cohort.  In elementary school, students will be with their class and teacher the entire day.  Resource teachers will either come to them or conduct class via video conferencing.  In middle and high school, student schedules are being arranged to keep groups together as much as possible.  While students are in their own classrooms, they will not have to wear a mask. However, if they are not in their cohort group, they will be required to wear a mask. If they are moving throughout hallways or in the restrooms, they will be required to wear a mask.  Masks will also be required on school buses. If there is a documented medical reason why a student cannot wear a mask, they will be exempt. 

Q:  Is there a virtual option? 

A:  Yes.  The West Virginia Virtual School is available through the WVDE.  Students who choose this option will be assigned to a teacher hired by the WVDE.  There may be some instances that a student’s virtual teacher is a Mercer County teacher, but sufficient enrollment for a full class would be necessary first.  Students of the West Virginia Virtual School are still considered public school students and can participate in extra-curricular activities within their district school.  Students may return to the regular school setting with a one week notice before a grading period ends (9 weeks).  The link to sign up for virtual school is:  https://tinyurl.com/virtualschoolapplication   

Q:  Will the school bus drop my child off at daycare after school? 

A:  We are continuing to work on arranging transportation to daycares that are within the school’s attendance area.  We will not be able to complete the process until we get firm numbers on the occupancy of the buses.