With a focus on the health and safety of our students and staff, we are reviewing the updated guidance that was shared yesterday afternoon by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) through the newly revised Strong Schools NC Public Health Toolkit, which will go into effect at the end of next week. Over the next few days, we will work to determine what the new guidance means for our schools in collaboration with local healthcare leaders.

Understanding that our year-round students return to school on Monday, July 26, and that the current state mask mandate remains in effect at this time, year-round students and staff will be required to wear face masks while at school until further notice. 

After the district’s review of the new guidance, we will communicate any adjustments made to health and safety protocols and provide proper notification to our school system family.

Excitement is in the air as elementary schools across Cumberland County Schools (CCS) make preparations to welcome Kindergarten students to the classroom. To allow ample time for teachers to conduct critical Kindergarten assessments and prepare for a successful school year, each elementary school will assign incoming Kindergarten students one day to attend school during the first week of school (August 23-26, 2021). Schools will notify families of the assigned Kindergarten Staggered Day by August 9, 2021. 

On Friday, August 27, 2021, elementary schools will invite Kindergarten students and their families to attend a Kindergarten Open House to meet their assigned teacher for the school year. School staff will notify parents/families of teacher assignments via phone call and email prior to Open House.

Beginning on Monday, August 30,  2021, all Kindergarten students will follow the normal school schedule with their teacher of record. School staff will direct Kindergarten students to their assigned classes.

Families with questions about the Kindergarten Staggered Entry Day may contact their child's elementary school or call the Elementary Curriculum & Instruction Services Department at (910) 678-2422.

Cumberland County Schools has begun the process of surveying stakeholder groups at each of the schools that require a uniform code of dress about the continuation of uniform dress requirements.

In preparation for the 2021-2022 school year, there will be an extension of the waiver of Policy 4316, Student Dress Code, School Uniform Requirements. For the new school year, as allowed by the policy, the waiver extension will provide sufficient time for the district to hear from each stakeholder group and determine the appropriate path forward at each school.

Families will still have the option to allow students to wear uniforms when they return to school in the fall. There will be no consequences imposed upon a student for a uniform violation during the 2021-2022 school year; however, student dress code requirements will remain in place.