Gov. Northam Convenes Education Task Force; Virginia Beach Easing Beach Restrictions

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Gov. Ralph Northam speaks during a May 8 press conference.

By Carol Vaughn —

Gov. Ralph Northam in a briefing Monday announced the creation of a work group to help chart the path forward for Virginia schools during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group includes representatives from public and private schools and colleges, among other education specialists, ranging from early childhood through higher education.
“We were the first state to close our K-12 schools through the end of the year, and that has proven to be the right decision,” Northam said, adding, “Now, our schools, from early childhood education to higher education, are looking toward the fall.”
The group, which held its first meeting April 23, is meeting regularly with public health officials and “will be laying out specific next steps over the coming weeks,” Northam said.
Its steering committee includes Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, chairman; State Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane; Deputy Secretary of Education for Higher Education and Museums Fran Bradford; and Peter Blake, director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, along with around three dozen members.
The COVID-19 Education Work Group will make recommendations about issues schools need to address before they can reopen safely, and then will focus on long-term recovery plans to address learning gaps and social or emotional issues students may have resulting from schools being closed.
The recommendations will be coordinated with the Forward Virginia plan to ease public health restrictions in phases, according to a press release.
“As we make decisions about the path forward, this panel will help ensure that we are best supporting rural students, English language learners, students of color, and students with special needs,” Northam said, adding, “School closures have been necessary to protect health and safety, but lost class time has a disproportionate impact on Virginia’s most vulnerable and economically disadvantaged students. That’s why equity will remain at the forefront as we determine when and how we can safely and responsibly return to in-person learning.”
Northam also announced easing of some restrictions at beaches at Virginia Beach, including First Landing State Park, starting Friday, May 22.
Those beaches will be open to recreational activities including sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and fishing, as defined by the city’s ordinance.
Parking will be capped at 50% capacity.
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said he is “prepared to stand by this plan to ensure that when we open, we will be the safe beach that is required in these most challenging times.”
He urged visitors and residents to adhere to rules for distancing at the beach.
“Let’s remember, this is short-term inconvenience for long-term gain,” he said.
Northam said the opening applies only to Virginia Beach and First Landing, but he encouraged other beach areas to use the Virginia Beach plan as a model for enforcing restrictions once they are allowed to open for recreational use.

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