CMS changes first day of school to August 17 as required by state leaders

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education has changed the first day of school to Aug. 17, as required by state leaders.

Board leaders held a meeting Tuesday where they voted to make changes to the 2020-2021 school year calendar.

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Classes were originally scheduled to start Aug. 31, but the North Carolina General Assembly passed a new law requiring all public schools to start on Aug. 17 and end before Memorial Day.

The Aug. 17 start date means that CMS will open before the Republican National Convention, scheduled to be in Charlotte from Aug. 24-27.

In order to avoid all the traffic and chaos of the convention, the district will use the five-state required remote learning days during that week.

During last night’s meeting, board member Elyse Dashew highlighted one silver lining with the new schedule.

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“The amended calendar for next school year has several aspects that will be good for students and families,” Dashew said. “Over the years, we advocated for an early start so our students can take their first semester exams before the winter break. They’re at a real disadvantage when they have to take them after the winter break and so I guess you could say that’s a silver lining to this change.”

While we know when CMS students will start back to school, there is still a lot to be worked out on how that return will look in terms of keeping students and staff safe.

“We’ll still need more flexibility and guidance from the state as to how we can do digital learning, but it is potentially a really good tool,” Dashew said. “But there’s nothing like being in the classroom.”

Adrienne Weinstein, a grandparent of a pre-K student, said she’s worried about what will happen amid the pandemic.

“I feel concerned for everybody and for her in kindergarten, will she be well-enough prepared,” Weinstein said. “Our schools were strapped before without enough space in the classroom, without enough money for teachers.”

While many have concerns about children spending any more time out of school, a new report from Raleigh-based nonprofit, NC Child, shows just how many students in the community are in need.

According to the report, 38.7% of children in Mecklenburg County are living in poor or low-income homes, and nearly 17.9% are in homes that are food insecure.

The data is also from before the pandemic, and the needs and gaps have expanded during this time.

NCHSAA pushes back date for teams to start practice due to COVID-19 concerns

The North Carolina High School Athletics Association is pushing back the date for teams to start practice because of concerns about coronavirus.

High school sports were expected to start back up again next week and the announcement was a big disappointment for athletes anxious to get back on the field.

The goal is to get players back on the practiced field on June 15.

In terms of what the season could look like, Commissioner Que Tucker said athletic seasons could be shorter, there could be fewer games and fewer teams in the playoffs.

She said all of that is a last resort at this point.

NCHSAA pushes back date for teams to start practice due to COVID-19 concerns NCHSAA pushes back date for teams to start practice due to COVID-19 concerns

As for spectators, Tucker said their goal is to see the stands full, but it could be challenging.

She also added the state high school athletic association has already taken an eight to 10 percent financial hit during the pandemic.

The association is asking schools to start collecting sanitizer, gloves and cleaning supplies so when sports do resume, they will be ready to do it safely. The NCHSAA expects to release guidelines to schools a week prior to the date practices can start.

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