Good afternoon and welcome to the latest edition of the Cheat Sheet, all focused on how schools have been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that’s upending life. Every time I’ve tried to write this newsletter, which is officially a year old, the news kept changing. First schools were preparing for the virus, then they were taking a day off to plan, and then Gov. Ralph Northam closed all schools for two weeks. And yesterday came the final nail in this school year’s coffin: Northam shut schools down for the rest of the academic year, though learning could continue online. “School division leaders will decide how students can learn the information they were meant to cover for the remainder of the year,” Northam said at a press conference Monday. In the meantime, school divisions are working through guidance and planning their next steps. “As my email inbox and conversations with students, parents, employees and neighbors demonstrate every single day, our schools play a vital role in the life and well-being of our community,” Albemarle County superintendent Matt Haas wrote. “That will not change.” We’re in for a tough few months, at least, and it’s been a surreal few weeks, watching favorite restaurants shutter and the Las Vegas Strip (my hometown) empty out. I’m finding joy in moments with Lois, the cat, watching new TV shows, walks outside, and seeing how the Charlottesville community is rallying together. How are you coping with the COVID-19 disruptions? Let me know at kknott@dailyprogress.com.
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