District Office Hours

Monday-Friday:  8:00 am to 4:30 pm

 FEBRUARY

We celebrate Black History Month

Central Office Staff Share Information on notable African Americans, in honor of Black History Month

Cindy Smith

George Washington Carver

Hank Aaron

Harriett Tubman

Howard Lee

Benjamin C. Saunders, Sr.

Wendell Scott  

Derek Jeter

Aesha Ash

February 2, 2021

ANNOUNCEMENT: GOVERNOR COOPER NEWS CONFERENCE

Dear Gates County Schools’ Staff and Families:

Today, Governor Roy Cooper held a joint news conference with the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the NC State Board of Education (NCSBE) and the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). In the news conference, it was stated they “Strongly recommend that all public schools provide in-person instruction using the safety protocols outlined in the NC Strong Schools Toolkit.” They continued to state that, “Research has shown that these protocols are working. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently cited North Carolina as an example that schools can reopen safely when they follow specific COVID-19 mitigation strategies even during periods of high community transmission.” Additionally it was stated that, “In-person learning is fundamental to children's development and well-being. Our public schools provide academic guidance, social and emotional supports, reliable meals, and opportunities for physical activity. Further, there are growing harms to children who are relying solely on remote instruction, including negative impacts on academic and mental health and food insecurity.”

Gates County Schools is currently under Plan A for elementary schools and Plan B for the middle school and high school. Under our current plans, we are already meeting the recommendation to provide in-person instruction outlined in today’s news conference. Also note, the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) was updated today and is accessible through our Plan A and Plan B documents on the district website under “Resources”. We are currently reviewing the toolkit for the updates to determine any needed changes to our protocols.

While we are still in the pandemic, we are moving forward with in-person instruction and are providing virtual/remote instruction for students who choose this option. I appreciate and applaud the Gates County Schools’ staff, Board of Education, and families for working together to provide both options for our students and creating and maintaining a safe learning environment for all.

Thank you and stay healthy and safe,

Dr. Barry Williams, Superintendent of Schools

January 17, 2021

The Board of Education held a special called meeting to revisit face-to-face instruction in light of two incidents that took place in our schools the first week of face-to-face instruction for Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1^st grade.

After discussion it was determined that the school district will continue as planned with face-to-face instruction with elementary schools open for face-to-face instruction for grades Pre-K through 5 beginning Tuesday, January 19, 2021, with the exception of T.S. Cooper Elementary School which will be on remote/virtual instruction through Wednesday, January 27, 2021 with K-5 students returning for face-to-face instruction on Thursday, January 28, 2021.

Additionally, the Board of Education confirmed that the following remain operational:

• The Community Center.
• Athletics at the high school and middle school under the guidelines of the NCHSAA.
• Extra-curricular activities at the high school and middle school.
• In-person instruction and services for students with disabilities.

During the meeting, there was also a strong emphasis on keeping the schools safe and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. A reminder was given for staff, parents and students to please self-monitor and monitor children for COVID-19 symptoms and if/when symptoms of COVID-19 are present, do not attend or send students to school. Additionally, when in school, always wear a face mask, wash your hands frequently, and practice social distancing.

No change in middle & high school - All Grades Middle & High - Tuesday January 26, 2021

Thank you,

Dr. Williams

Gates County NAACP Donates Books to Gates County Schools in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Moving Forward Learning Options  

Plan A for Elementary Schools

Plan B for Middle and High Schools

 NC Broadband Survey

https://www.ncbroadband.gov/broadband-north-carolina/north-carolina-broadband-survey

PLAN C Revised 8-31-2020