Roanoke families, teachers and community members will be able to have questions answered Thursday about Roanoke City Public Schools proposed reopening plan during a virtual town hall hosted by Superintendent Verletta White.

The district has pledged to answer as many questions as possible during the town hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The plan tentatively involves sending students to the classroom four full days per week, Mondays through Thursdays. A fully remote, online option also will be available.

The plan is contingent on at least 30% of students choosing the remote option, leaving parents wondering how the plan may change if that doesnt happen. Although that threshold was met in the districts initial survey, only 60% of the districts enrollment completed the survey, so the figure could shift as the district collects formal responses.

The Roanoke Education Association, a local chapter of the Virginia Education Association, published a statement Monday calling for the district to scale back its plan to a maximum of two days per week of in-person learning or 100% virtual.

The statement focused on the increasing COVID-19 case numbers in the Roanoke Valley, especially in younger people. While younger people are less likely to die of COVID-19 or become severely ill, President Bettye Bell questioned whether the district was willing to take the risk: Are we playing Russian Roulette with the lives of our students?

Originally posted here:

Roanoke schools' digital 'town hall' will address school reopening questions Thursday evening - Roanoke Times