Storm cancels in-person learning in Fayette; Date set for 3rd-5th grades to return in person

Despite earlier plans, kindergarten through second grade students in Fayette County Public Schools won’t return to in-person learning for the rest of this week as Lexington digs out from one winter storm and awaits another.

In-person learning for kindergarten through second graders is now expected to begin Monday, Feb. 22. weather permitting, while the district said a tentative date has been set for third- through fifth-graders to return to school in person as well. .

All students in the school district will continue remote learning Wednesday through Friday and employees will work remotely, school district officials said Tuesday.

Tuesday’s review of data with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department showed that the rolling 7-Day Average of new cases has fallen to 100, community transmission is trending down, cases among school-aged children are declining, and many employees have received both doses of the vaccine.

· District officials anticipate having students in grades 3 through 5 whose families chose in-person learning return to campus March 3-5. That decision will be reviewed and affirmed next Tuesday.

The district is exploring many different scenarios to accomplish the goal of providing in-person learning for all students whose families have selected that option.

· They are emphasizing the importance of the availability of bus drivers and cafeteria workers, as they plan for other grade levels to return to in-person learning throughout the graduated approach.

· Anyone who may be interested in working as a bus driver, bus monitor, or child nutrition employee should apply at www.fcps.net/jobs.

Under the district’s latest plan, grades 6, 9 and 12 will resume in-person next after K-5, followed by grades 7, 8, 10 and 11, and finally preschool students.

Fayette schools shut down to in-person learning when the pandemic hit in March 2020. School buildings have not yet opened to students for face-to face instruction because COVID-19 cases in the community have just recently reached a level in a matrix that allows a return to in-person learning.

K-2 students were supposed to return in-person Tuesday, but winter weather delayed that and students had a traditional snow day Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, the severity of the weather is also impacting our ability to provide meals on our campuses,”: a news release said..

“We recognize that weather conditions may lead to power outages and/or internet service disruption for students and teachers and will be flexible with anyone impacted by the storm,” the release said. “Any student unable to log-on will be given additional time to complete assignments and any teacher unable to connect will provide instruction at a future time.”

This story was originally published February 16, 2021 at 6:05 PM.