Manassas Park Schools To Reopen With 100-Percent Virtual Learning

MANASSAS PARK, VA — The Manassas Park City Schools School Board unanimously approved 100-percent distance learning for the opening of the 2020-2021 school year. At its Monday night meeting, the school board also opted to move the start date of the school year from late August to Sept. 8.

The Manassas Park school board said the school system will examine health data each month, with a goal of returning to in-person learning when health experts declare classroom instruction to be safe.

Last week, Prince William County schools and the City of Manassas Public School system also chose to begin the new school year with 100-percent distance learning.

At Monday's meeting, the Manassas Park City Schools School Board also agreed that parents and guardians will have the opportunity to opt for distance learning for the entire first semester. The Manassas Park school system will send information about the full-semester distance learning option to parents later this week.

"We understand that our families want certainty in their planning, and we will send this information and selection instructions to them as soon as possible," Manassas Park City Schools Superintendent Dr. C. Bruce McDade said Tuesday in a statement.

As for starting schools on Sept. 8, the school system said the change in the start date is critical to ensure further professional development for teachers and staff.

"The board recognizes the tremendous amount of work that needs to be done by our teaching teams," Dr. Jeff Jackson, associate superintendent of teaching and learning for Manassas Park Schools, said in a statement. "We are incredibly grateful for the additional time to ensure our students receive the best possible education in this environment."

Manassas Park City Public Schools serve about 3,700 students at four schools: Cougar Elementary School, Manassas Park Elementary School, Manassas Park Middle School and Manassas Park High School.

In Northern Virginia, Arlington County schools are also planning to begin the year with only online learning.

Loudoun County and Fairfax County schools, on the other hand, will begin the year with a hybrid learning models where students can attend school in-person two days a week and three days at home using distance learning. Parents uncomfortable with sending their children to school buildings can choose 100-percent distance learning for their children.

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• Prince William Schools To Reopen Virtually For Most Students
• Manassas Schools To Begin Year With 100-Percent Distance Learning
• Families Have 2 Choices For Return To Fairfax County Schools
• Half Of Loudoun Parents Pick 100-Percent Distance Learning Option