Rockingham County Schools soon will move to virtual learning after at least 13 schools reported coronavirus cases. According to WRAL, cases were identified in seven elementary schools, one preschool, one high school, and four middle schools since students returned in-person to schools September 28.
On Monday, October 26, the Board of Education voted to move to virtual learning in all grades starting November 9 through the first semester, RCS announced on social media. In response, some parents plan to protest the decision by returning the Chromebooks given to students.
"Open schools 5 days a week or close them until covid is gone," reads an event page on Facebook. "Or do a mass chrome book return and refuse to do the schooling."
With the district implementing virtual learning this semester, some parents have voiced concerns about their children's grades or a potential education gap.
"I believe that if daycares, restaurants, stores, bars, and everything else can be opened, our schools can open," said Megan Vincent, who is withdrawing her children from the rest of the RCS school year. "What are we telling our children by allowing everything but their schools to be open? That they don't matter? That their education isn't important?"
The average number of coronavirus cases in North Carolina has increased since September. According to WRAL, the rolling average as of October 23 was 2,081, 750 more than the average in the previous month.
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