The Shadow
As schools are closed due to a mandatory two-week shutdown ordered by Gov. Ralph Northam, local school districts are continuing to provide free and reduced-price meals to students.
Covington City Public Schools will be providing free bagged meals and snacks to persons aged 18 and under beginning Wednesday.
The distribution program will remain in effect through Friday, March 27.
Monday through Friday, from 11:15 to 12:15 p.m., food can be picked up at the following sites:
— Covington High School, teacher’s parking lot, 606 S. Lexington Ave.
— Edgemont Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church (church parking lot across the street), 2306 S. Church Ave.
— McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church (church parking lot at the corner of Alleghany Avenue and Cedar Street), 900 N. Alleghany Ave.
Schools will utilize remote learning during the two-week closure.
In Covington, students materials can be picked up Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the school office for Edgemont Primary and Jeter-Watson Intermediate students, and in Curfman Hall for Covington High School students.
Alleghany County school officials were still developing a plan for food distribution Monday afternoon.
Superintendent Gene Kotulka said plans were being developed for buses to deliver the food to designated bus stops.
The deliveries will begin Wednesday morning and a schedule will be released early Tuesday, Kotulka said.
“Basically, our buses will be running a two-hour delay to deliver breakfast and lunch,” Kotulka said.
County schools will be open Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. to allow students and parents to pick up Chromebooks and chargers, report cards, student medications stored at the school, personal belongings and education packets that have been prepared by instructional personnel.
Schools will be closed to the public at all other times during the state-mandated closure.
All extra-curricular activities and athletic events (practices and games) are cancelled while schools remain closed.
“The situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is unprecedented, especially given the disruption and uncertainty it has generated,” said Alleghany County Superintendent Gene Kotulka.
“We will endeavor to manage this situation as efficiently and effectively as possible. We will also strive to communicate with our entire community as this very fluid situation evolves and new information becomes available,” he said.
Schools are tentatively set to reopen Monday, March 30.
Bath County school officials were devising a plan Monday to distribute meals to students tentatively scheduled to begin Wednesday.
A local emergency was declared Monday in Bath County. The state of emergency was declared by the county’s emergency management director, Roy Burns.
The Alleghany County Community Services Board in Covington announced Monday that it will screen visitors to its facilities, using practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This practice will remain in place at all AHCS clinics, offices and residential programs until further notice,”?said Ingrid Barber, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Community Serviced Board.
The CSB? has suspended community events and elective trainings until further notice. Visitation to residential and day programs has been restricted.
In addition, hours of operation at CSB facilities have been adjusted to help ensure proper sanitation.
“We will continue to monitor this situation closely and provide updates as necessary. As executive director, I can assure you that we will do everything possible within the scope of our organization to support the Alleghany Highlands community during this time,” Barber said.
In Lewisburg, W.Va., officials have decided to close Carnegie Hall to the public and postpone events, classes and workshops, beginning today. At this point, officials anticipate being closed through March 31, but will keep the public updated as the situation evolves.
If you have questions or concerns, email Carnegie Hall at info@carnegiehallwv.org or call the office (304) 645-7917 during regular business hours.
