Latest Updates

2022-2023 School Year (Summer 2022)

Students will engage in full-time, in-person learning during the 2022-2023 school year. Prevention strategies, such as optional mask use, vaccinations for eligible students and staff, and cleaning protocols, will remain in place.

WJCC Schools offers face-to-face learning, five days a week, for all students during the 2021-2022 school year. In addition, prevention strategies such as mask use, vaccinations for eligible students and staff, and limited physical distancing will be in place.

Data and guidance from the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics are clear: the use of face coverings and vaccinations are the best things we can do as individuals to help keep ourselves and our community safe. Additionally, children are no longer a close contact when exposed to someone at school who is ill if both people wear a mask. That means fewer quarantines and more students in school every day.

Read the complete instructional plan »

What to expect at school

  • All students, staff, and visitors must wear a face mask while indoors. Masks may be removed only when people are outside or when they are eating or drinking.
  • Students will eat meals in the cafeteria at elementary schools. Middle and high schools will make use of the cafeteria and outdoor spaces for lunch.
  • Breakfast and lunch (including hot meals) will be available to all students at no charge.
  • Air ventilation systems are maintained in schools and classrooms; however, when possible, windows will be opened to increase airflow throughout the building.
  • Students will share classroom materials. We now know that COVID does not live for an extended period on hard surfaces; therefore, there is no need for individual sets of classroom materials.
  • Physical distancing will be limited to up to three feet. Where possible, desks will be separated to increase space between students.
  • Most WJCC elementary schools added classroom trailers to increase learning space and decrease the number of students in traditional classrooms.

The division is also offering full-time virtual learning options for students K-12 who enrolled over the summer. These rigorous classes meet or exceed Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs) and align with WJCC Schools’ graduation requirements.

Elementary students will participate in live daily instruction led by highly qualified, licensed teachers from the State’s Virtual Virginia initiative. Classes include reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies. In addition, time is built into the schedule for small-group work, daily class meetings, and specialty classes such as wellness, world languages, dance, and arts.

Middle and high school courses include a blend of live and asynchronous instruction led by WJCC Schools teachers and highly qualified, licensed teachers from the State’s Virtual Virginia program.

Web-based classes include core subject matter content such as English, math, science, and history, as well as electives, special education services, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Specific course offerings are determined based on student enrollment and teacher availability. Due to limitations with virtual learning, performing arts instruction will not be offered through the Virtual Academy. However, students will continue to be eligible to participate in extracurricular performing arts activities.

Health Plans & Testing

The Forward WJCC Schools health plan was originally developed by a team of school nurses and student health professionals. The plan was reviewed by health experts, including Peninsula Health Department staff and a local pediatrician.

WJCC’s focus and commitment to a safety aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) guidance on:

  • Supporting in-person learning for all students 
  • Promoting vaccination against COVID-19 for those eligible individuals 
  • Optional mask wearing in all public education indoor settings
  • Focusing on a layered approach with multiple prevention strategies 
  • Being flexible and responsive to the changing dynamics of COVID-19 

COVID-19 Data Dashboard

WJCC Schools maintained a COVID-19 data dashboard during the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years. Maintenance of the dashboard was paused in June 2022. The dashboard may be relaunched if the region experiences high community levels of COVID-19, as defined by the CDC. Click here to review the CDC’s latest metrics and COVID-19 community levels.

ViSSTA Testing

ViSSTA testing is intended to identify non-symptomatic people early in infection, in order to reduce the spread of the virus. This free testing opportunity is available in the 2022-2023 school year.

At-Home Testing

WJCC Schools continue to offer free at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test kits to qualified individuals.

Cleaning & Safety

WJCC Schools custodial teams clean school buildings multiple times a day, paying particular attention to common areas and critical touchpoints such as door handles, tables, stair rails, and other hard surfaces. They use disinfectant and cleaning products recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In addition to cleaning surfaces, WJCC Schools performs preventative maintenance of HVAC systems more often and evaluates airflow in buildings.

WJCC Schools follows health and safety protocols developed with current CDC and local and state health department guidance. This includes but is not limited to enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures, self-assessments for wellness, optional use of face coverings, and handwashing and other hygiene practices.

Anyone experiencing any symptom of illness – COVID-19 or otherwise – is strongly encouraged to stay home and get well.

Research and Resources