The Board of Education met on August 4, 2020 and voted to approve a return to school utilizing remote learning to begin the school year. The choice to move to remote learning to begin the year was an extremely difficult decision to make. The gravity of this decision weighs on all of us. The district will continue to offer the CFCS Virtual Academy through Ohio Online Learning. There has been some confusion regarding the two options, remote learning and CFCS Virtual Academy. Click "Learn More" below for a summary of both options.
Dear Copley-Fairlawn Families,
The central office and building administrators have been meeting multiple times per week to plan for the the endless number of scenarios that we may face during the coming school year. We have met with parents and have worked hard to answer every email and phone call regarding the concern for our eventual return to school.
Local health officials shared with me this week that there is an expectation for a spike in COVID-19 cases during September. Additionally, there is opinion from health officials that as we move into October, we will experience an increasing chance for serious illness.
I am very aware of the importance of in-person learning, student-teacher contact, the importance of social interaction with peers in school and during extra-curricular activities. It concerns me deeply that our students are missing out on these interactions and growth experiences.
I have communicated on a regular basis with the Summit County Health Department. I plan to recommend to our Board of Education that Copley-Fairlawn provide remote learning by CFCS teachers for our students for at least the first nine weeks of the school year. The Health Department is in full support of this decision. We would like to provide an opportunity for our students to meet their teacher(s) and pick up curricular materials during the week of August 24th. This will provide an opportunity for students to meet their teacher(s) and learn about the schedule and process for remote learning for the first quarter, including daily and weekly schedules. The Copley-Fairlawn Schools Virtual Academy is still an option for those families that would like to commit to the first semester or the entire school year at home.
This is a very difficult decision. No part of this is ideal. Please understand this path has been chosen with the health and safety of our students and staff as the top priority.
Due to COVID-19, several changes are necessary for bus transportation during the upcoming school year. These decisions were not arrived at lightly and reflect the need to create as much physical distancing as possible on our buses. We apologize in advance for the challenges these changes create.
Dear Copley-Fairlawn Families,
As we get closer to the start of the school year, it is important to communicate that very specific plans regarding cleaning protocol, social distancing, face coverings and PPE will be shared with everyone via our website and email in the beginning of August.
A letter was sent previously sharing that students will be returning five days per week with the appropriate protocols in place. Parents also have the option of a fully online platform, CFCS Virtual Academy, run by Ohio Online Learning at no cost. The online platform will monitored by a Copley-Fairlawn staff member.
Please also feel free to reach out to your child’s building administrator. We have been working and planning for the start of school since mid-March for our August return.
Thank you,
Brian Poe
Superintendent
Copley-Fairlawn City Schools
