by Kate Evans
Morgan County Schools published their staggered start schedule for the new school year last Friday on their website and Facebook page. The school system is set to reopen on Tuesday, September 8 along with other West Virginia schools statewide if their county’s COVID-19 status at the time permits.
Staggered start
Morgan County Schools will use a staggered start to the school year so students and staff can adjust to the new routines and procedures with less students attending during the first few days, said School Superintendent Kristen Tuttle.
Students will begin the school year based on their grade level and school. Once they start back, students will continue to attend each day. All grades in Morgan County will be in session by Thursday, September 10. Teachers return on Monday, August 24 to begin preparations for the new school year.
Widmyer Elementary
Widmyer Elementary second grade will start back on Tuesday, September 8.
Widmyer first grade and pre-kindergarten students will begin school on Wednesday, September 9.
Widmyer Elementary kindergarten students will start back to school on Thursday, September 10.
Intermediate school
Warm Springs Intermediate School fifth graders will start back on Tuesday, September 8.
Intermediate school fourth graders will begin school on Wednesday, September 9.
Intermediate school third graders will start school on Thursday, September 10.
Middle school
Warm Springs Middle School eighth graders will return to school on Tuesday, September 8.
Middle school seventh graders will start school on Wednesday, September 9.
Middle school sixth graders will begin school on Thursday, September 10.
Berkeley Springs
Berkeley Springs High School twelfth graders will come back to school on Tuesday, September 8.
High school ninth graders will begin school on Wednesday, September 9.
High school tenth and eleventh graders will return on Thursday, September 10.
Pleasant View, Paw Paw
All grades at Pleasant View Elementary and Paw Paw Schools will be in session on Tuesday, September 8. They are small schools and a staggered start isn’t necessary, said Superintendent Tuttle.
Individual schools have released their reentry plans, for which links are posted inside the updated Morgan County Schools reentry plan on the county school website. Some schools have posted their reentry plans on their
Facebook pages, along with back-to-school information.
Back to school events
Warm Springs Middle School has a drive-through student schedule pick-up scheduled for Tuesday, September 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Three different tables will be set up for each grade level around the bus loop.
On Thursday, September 3 the middle school will hold their first Virtual Back to School Night starting at 5 p.m. where kids can meet their teachers and hear about their classes.
Teachers will be calling and emailing Virtual Academy students to let them know what to expect in their virtual classes.
High school
Berkeley Springs High School officials have a student schedule pick-up set for Tuesday, September 1 at the high school courtyard. Eleventh and twelfth graders only can pick up their schedules from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Ninth and tenth graders only can get their schedules from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Both high school student virtual academy schedules and student on-campus schedules will be available for pick-up. The inclement weather plan is to use the high school gymnasium. If students can’t attend, they can receive their schedules on the first day of school.
The Back-to-School Night/Freshman Orientation is being replaced with a series of videos with information about new procedures and a virtual campus tour for freshmen.
Widmyer, intermediate
Widmyer Elementary officials posted that teachers are receiving their class lists and will be calling parents to introduce themselves within the next two weeks before school starts. Parents should watch for information about a virtual back-to-school night.
Intermediate school officials reported that teachers will be making contact with all students on their rosters (including virtual) so they can make introductions. More information will be posted soon about a virtual back to school night. Supply lists are posted online.
Paw Paw Schools
Paw Paw Schools officials posted that elementary school teachers will be calling each member of their class (in-school/virtual students) during the weeks of August 24-September 3 to introduce themselves. Teachers will go over their expectations, Schoology log-in information and needed supplies and will share their instruction video link.
All videos will be available to watch by September 3 and will be hosted on the Paw Paw Schools website. A virtual walking tour will be available for new students.
Secondary school teachers will post a video link on the school website regarding their classroom expectations and needed supplies.
The school posted a reentry document that shows the advisors assigned for students in seventh through twelfth grades.
Students will report to that room on the first day of school on that first morning as the re-teach period was moved to the beginning of the day. Students will receive a copy of their schedule and Schoology log-in information in their advisory period on the first day.
Pleasant View Elementary
Pleasant View Elementary officials posted supply lists for students on their Facebook page. They’ve encouraged families to stay well, safe and strong throughout the pandemic and said they look forward to seeing their students again, as every school has said.
