LOW MOOR — Monday, May 15, will be a virtual learning day for secondary students (all students in grades 6-12) in Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. Elementary students (grades 5 and below) will attend classes in person, as usual.
The virtual learning day will allow secondary teachers (grades 6-12) to participate in further team-building activities and prepare for the physical movement of high school and middle school students in the fall. The May 15 schedule is a part of calendar changes that were approved by the school board on Feb. 13 and also announced at that time.
On May 15, breakfast and lunch will be served at all schools. At Alleghany and Covington high schools, breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m. Lunch will be available at both schools from 11 a.m. to noon. Sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students attending Jeter-Watson Elementary School and Clifton Middle School can receive meals at either high school. Parents with questions should contact the school their student attends.
The calendar changes approved by the board in February are part of strategic planning for the full consolidation of AHPS schools. In the fall, students in grades 6-8 will attend Covington Middle School (the current Covington High School building). Alleghany High School in Valley Ridge will serve as the joint high school and house students in grades 9-12.
On May 24, all schools will release two hours earlier than the normal time to allow staff to prepare for moving. May 25 also remains a two-hour early dismissal day.
Also related to preparation for school consolidation are student tours of Covington High School on May 18-19, and May 22. The tours will be for students who will attend Covington Middle School in the fall. The tour schedule is:
May 18, Jeter-Watson Middle School students in grades 5-7.
May 19, Clifton Middle School students in grades 6-7.
May 19, fifth graders from Callaghan Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School.
May 22, fifth graders from Sharon Elementary School.
The tours, conducted during the school day, are occurring after most SOL and CTE credential testing is completed for the year so as to minimize disruption.
The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division was created through the July 1, 2022, merger of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington.
Follow AHPS news and events on Facebook at AHPublicSchools or by visiting the division website, www.ahps.k12.va.us.