Superintendent's Message - September 30, 2020

  • A Message from Dr. Chris Lowder, Superintendent 09/30/2020

    Superintendent Lowder
    We are excited to welcome students back to our classrooms campuses and are busy preparing for their arrival on Oct. 19th.
    As you may already know, the Cabarrus County Board of Education voted on Sept. 21st to return to in-person instruction. Here is a recap of the decisions:
    • Students in grades Pre-K through 3rd will return to school under Plan A, which is face-to-face instruction Monday through Thursday and remote learning on Fridays
    • Students in grades 4-12 will return to school under Plan B, which is face-to-face instruction 2 days/week and remote learning three days/week
    • Students in our EC centralized placement classes and Occupational Course of Study (OCS) classes will have face-to-face instruction Monday through Thursday and have remote learning on Fridays
     
    Protecting the health and safety of our students and staff is a priority. As we return to in-person instruction, we will implement a number of safety measures, including daily temperature checks for students and staff, social distancing, face coverings for students and staff, enhanced cleaning protocols, and frequent hand washing.
     
    We are in the process of compiling all of the information you will need to be ready for a return to school and will share that document with through our district communications channels next week.
    In addition to our return to in-person learning, October will be a busy month. Our annual Program Choice Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 6th. This year’s fair will be held virtually.
     
    The fair is an opportunity to meet representatives from the 31 schools in our district that offer specialized programming. Representatives from the IB, STEM, Spanish immersion, Mandarin immersion, Virtual Academy and balanced calendar programs will be present, along with representatives from the district’s high school academies and early colleges.
     
    We also are planning program expansions for the fine arts program at Royal Oaks School of the Arts to include 7th grade students and a new program – the Academy of Finance and Technology – will accept 9th grade students next school year. For more information, visit the CCS Program Choice website at www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/programchoice.  
     
    This month, the district also will begin a new middle school student realignment project with a Public Information Session on Oct. 8, 2020. This realignment project is in preparation for the opening of a new middle school in August 2022. The district also is seeking volunteers for its Student Realignment Public Advisory Committee. The committee will provide input and feedback to CCS staff and the firm hired to manage the project. Visit our Student Realignment site to complete the Advisory Committee application and to learn more. The application deadline is Oct. 18, 2020.
     
    The month of October also is National Bullying Prevention Month. Individuals around the world unite with the powerful message that bullying should never be a part of childhood. CCS is proud to join in this annual effort. Throughout the month, CCS students and staff will initiate and participate in activities and events designed to encourage kindness and inclusion.
    We also are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate the history, heritage and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present.
     
    Also this month, CCS will host virtual financial aid fairs in conjunction with College Foundation of North Carolina (CNC). The sessions will be held Oct. 14th and Oct. 22nd; the event on the 22nd will be presented in Spanish. Visit the Upcoming Events section of our district website for details and times.
     
    Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for choosing Cabarrus County Schools. We cannot wait to welcome students back on Oct. 19th.
     
    Sincerely,
     
    Chris
    Chris Lowder, Ed.D.
    Superintendent