Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, Orange County and Durham County Schools are adjusting their schedule for the coming weeks due to the ongoing concern surrounding the outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.

“In recent weeks, we have been monitoring COVID-19 (Coronavirus), and have been in contact with our county and state authorities,” said CHCCS superintendent Pam Baldwin in a release. “We also hear the voices of our staff, our families and our community. We realize this is a difficult time, and may cause significant unpredictable hardships, and the decisions we make in response are very carefully considered. Clearly, the best method for mitigating the progression of the virus is to minimize the opportunities for transmission.”

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

Monday, March 16 through Wednesday March 18 will now be optional teacher workdays. Students will not be in school on those days, as the purpose is to prepare staff for a prolonged period of extended learning.

Spring break for CCCS will begin Thursday, March 19 and run through Friday, March 27. During the week of March 30 through April 3, students will be learning from home.

“If all goes well, we will be back in school on Monday, April 6,” said Baldwin. “However, we understand the severity of the current situation and there are still many unknowns. That date could be altered depending on many factors.”

Effective Monday, March 16, CHCCS buildings will be closed to the public, including facility rentals. Information regarding child nutrition — including feeding sites throughout the community — will be forthcoming.

Orange County Schools

Orange County Schools are choosing to close schools effective Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 3.

Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18 will now be teacher workdays to prepare for prolonged periods of remote learning. OCS spring break will remain in place from March 30 to April 3.

During the weeks of March 16-20 and March 23-27, students will be learning from home. Teachers will be expected to hold “office hours” from 9 a.m. to noon from March 16-18. Beyond the designated workdays, staff will be flexible and available to students and parents.

More information regarding child nutrition and school meals can be found on the Orange County Schools website.

“If all goes well, we will be back in school on Monday, April 6,” said OCS superintendent Monique Felder. “However, we understand the severity of the current situation and there are still many unknowns. That date could be altered depending on many factors.”

Durham County Schools

Durham County students will be on break the week of March 16. Students will receive supplemental instructional material beginning Monday, March 23.

DPS will evaluate when students will return to school in consultation with state and local public health authorities. Durham Public Schools facilities will be closed to the public, including facility rentals.

There will be a daily feeding program for Durham County children on Monday, March 23, similar to the summer meals initiative. More details can be found on their website.

This comes after North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in North Carolina over the coronavirus threat. As of Thursday afternoon, there are 14 identified cases of coronavirus in North Carolina (including identified cases in Wake and Chatham counties). There are no confirmed cases in Orange County at this time.

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