Hyde County Schools Update

Note: This information is superseded by Governor Cooper's announcement that all NC public schools will close for two weeks. 

To the Students, Staff, and Families of Hyde County Schools:

The Hyde County Schools District Leadership Team met today with Hyde County Health and Emergency Response Officials to formally establish a plan of action related to the most recent developments concerning COVID-19.

We have already taken the following steps to help protect our students and staff in Hyde County Schools. Based on all current data, the number one recommendation is frequent and sustained hand-washing. We are also encouraging our students and staff to stay home if they are sick. Our Administrators have been monitoring attendance data districtwide to be able to respond to increases in absenteeism. We have also ordered two electrostatic disinfectant sprayer systems designed to kill a series of viruses, including COVID-19.

From my notification yesterday, the N. C. High School Athletic Association has suspended all interscholastic athletics effective at 11:59 pm tonight, Friday, March 13th through April 6, 2020. This includes skill sessions, workouts, practices, and contests of any kind.

As of 3:30 pm this afternoon, the North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is not recommending the closing of schools. Also, as of this morning’s meeting, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hyde County.

Based on recommendations from Governor Roy Cooper, the Centers for Disease Control, State and Local Health Department Officials, and the Hyde County Schools District Leadership Team, Hyde County Schools is enacting the following mandates effective at 11:59 pm tonight:

• Hyde County Schools will eliminate all non-essential out of district travel for students and staff. Hyde County Schools has canceled all school field trips through April 6, 2020.
• Hyde County Schools will no longer hold school assemblies or large group gatherings and will practice social distancing to the highest degree possible.
• Hyde County Schools will limit visitor access to schools. Visitors, including parents or guardians, will not be allowed access to cafeterias, hallways, restrooms, or other areas of the school buildings other than the front office.

All of these protocols will be in place from 11:59 pm tonight, Friday, March 13, 2020 at least through Monday, April 6th. Hyde County Schools District Leadership will be monitoring developments and recommendations from all official sources and may extend the above restrictions beyond April 6th, where appropriate.

In our District Meeting today, Hyde County Schools Leadership developed a “Virtual Learning Plan” for each of our district schools. Building Principals will be sharing this information and holding meetings with their staffs to address putting this plan in action in each of their schools as quickly as possible.

The Parent Meeting concerning the Mattamuskeet Elementary School calendar for next year, Fall and Spring 2020-2021, scheduled for Monday afternoon at MES has been canceled. More information and opportunities to gain your feedback will be forthcoming.

We will continue to update our students, staff, and families as any new information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Stephen Basnight, III Superintendent
Hyde County Schools