Keshia 4 Cabarrus County @keshia4cabarruscounty - Tumblr Blog

Good Evening Cabarrus County, I wanted to be able to answer the many questions relating to Dr. Lowder's resignation... "There were no details with Dr. Lowder's resignation, announcing retirement. The Board accepted, thanked him for his service and appointed Deputy Superintendent Brian Schultz to assume duties until the Board can meet at a future meeting to discuss. We will continue to move Cabarrus County Schools forward in a progressive way." Sincerely, Cabarrus County Board of Education (at Cabarrus County, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLsuu1eJ1xe/?igshid=gl5ij8o9t82c

My apologies for being late. Here are this week's questions/answers: 1. What are your thoughts about middle school rezoning? Please know as a social worker I understand how change can negatively impact children. It wasn't very long ago when I addressed the board for the same concerns. So I truly understand your advocacy. Lastly, please note I will always vote in favor of what is best for our entire community. In order to make sure we capture the community’s thoughts and concerns, please use the formal Feedback Form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-5Nq0mIn3wkeRsFz4XD_eqfeIc-GvLL5nvIn-miF1y2ntbg/viewform on the CCS Realignment Website- https://www.ccsrealignment.com/ to submit comments. This will help Cabarrus County Schools collect and analyze all comments in a formal way. 2. Why have there been so many closed board meetings? "We are taking care of business and personnel issues." 3. Is the board currently considering a plan that would bring middle and high school students into Plan A? At this time per Governor Cooper's order, only pre-kindergarten through fifth graders are allowed to attend school in Plan A. The task force recommendations are intended to help CCS prepare for all grade levels to attend in plan A when applicable. 4. Would Plan A keep students asynchronous on Friday's? This has not been decided upon by the board yet. Keshia https://www.instagram.com/p/CLou0AAJwNz/?igshid=106o1dhkww3ux

Thanks for making our educators a priority Governor Cooper! #ittakesavillage https://www.instagram.com/p/CLICmN4pxnb/?igshid=6q5pkt8xuguy

#ittakesavillage

Hello Cabarrus County, Please note: There weren't any questions posed over the last week for me to respond to today. However, I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone for your continued support and encouragement. I will continue to be transparent and willing to be held accountable by our community! #ittakesavillage Keshia https://www.instagram.com/p/CLDxTs-JMin/?igshid=1qa5m9nrednv2

#ittakesavillage

This week I've had the pleasure of visiting 3 of our county's schools. I wanted to gain a better understanding of how Plan B is being carried out and how Plan A will be implemented begining on 2/16/2021. It truly helps to put things into perspective when you are able to see it first hand. Thanks to the four teachers who invited me to observe their classrooms. I was able to sit in a Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 6th grade classes. To the principals thanks for the lovely gifts! Up next is high school visits! I truly want to thank our staff for thier hard work and dedication in the darkest of times. Please know that I see your diligence and know your worth! We are absolutely... #allinthistogether #ittakesavillage https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4_HgOJ3a2/?igshid=1hd2qqz7aq5pw

#allinthistogether #ittakesavillage

This week's questions: 1. Are school staff provided with appropriate PPE? Yes, we follow the recommendations of NCDHHS relative to Covid safety protocols. 2. How are concerns of students eating while unmasked being addressed? Depending on the specific school/classroom make-up this question could be answered in several different ways. The best resource to answer this question would be your school's principal. Also remember all CCS Covid related information can be found here: https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/Domain/12568 3. I am concerned about social distancing for teachers and students in Plan A. Remember only grades Pk-5 are able attend in plan A based on the Governor's orders. The board has voted to allow grades PK-3 and Special Populations grades 4-12 to begin in-person learning in Plan A (4 days a week) beginning on 2/16/2021. "Safety protocols are in place with students and staff and those recommended by the NCDHHS will be followed to the best extent possible in Plan A." 4. Can CHA attend the BOE meetings to provide the community with updates? Our superintendent and board chair meets virtually with CHA weekly. At this time there has been no decision by the board to make changes to this format. Also remember CHA provides community information/updates here: https://www.cabarrushealth.org/555/Coronavirus-Information-Page Keshia https://www.instagram.com/p/CK0Tk3PJOIg/?igshid=fp7pzwssliup

This Week's Questions: 1. Why survey teachers if you did not plan to vote on what the majority of teachers voted for? It was important for me to survey ALL staff to clearly understand what the concerns were and determine if there were actions the board could implement to address them. On January 23, 2021, I discussed a 19 page Google document of suggestions created by many of our teachers and staff. These suggestions served as the basis for my decision. There are a number of factors that were factored in. (a. "Teacher morale and burnout is a serious issue. Will the board read this document and use it to make decisions for our schools?" b. "There is no guarantee of 6 feet social distancing at any level of school in Plan B. This is also exceptionally true in regards to Plan A." c. "Long Term Solutions for School Operation in the Pandemic.") 2. Relating to your 1/23/2021 vote to return PreK-3 and Special Populations to Plan A begining on 2/16/20201 what factors contributed to your personal decision-making process? Why does your vote disregard what CHA, CDC, Dr. Lowder recommend? This is a great question and I want to be very clear in my response. During our recent Board Retreat, I publicly affirmed my vote for which plan to implement would follow the science and would be contingent upon our ability to succeed with the 3 W's (wash, wear, and wait) as recommended by NCDHHS. The critical determining factor would be our number of percent positive continuing to trend downward and approval of our COVID Task Force recommendations. Per Dr. Lowder we are able to assure the 3 W's for PreK-3 and our Special Populations grades 4-12. Keshia (at Cabarrus County, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKfilSCJQOA/?igshid=17pu3jo8u90np

Today I had the pleasure of visiting one of our 6th grade classes. I wanted to gain a better understanding of how Plan B is being carried out. It truly helps to put things into perspective when you get to see it firsthand. Thanks Ms. Mariah Jones for the invite. I am scheduled to visit several more classes within our district. I truly want to thank our staff for thier hard work. Please know, I see you and know your worth! We are absolutely #allinthistogether #ittakesavillage https://www.instagram.com/p/CKUxfT2pSzm/?igshid=nvjnw5nrou82

#allinthistogether #ittakesavillage

This morning I had the opportunity to assist with the bus rider line helping to greet our students and staff. It was absolutely amazing to see all those smiles both from students and staff alike. Moreover, I was so happy to be able to give out a treat (Nothing Bundt Cakes) of appreciation to all our bus drivers. I have also scheduled several school/classroom visits over the next few weeks. We are absolutely in this together! Thanks to all of our staff for your service to our students, schools, and community! #ItTakesAVillage Thanks Dr. Snyder for the invite and the yummy looking treat! (at Cabarrus County, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKO3u5eJPOF/?igshid=fcil1g9b10f9

#ittakesavillage

Last week's questions 1. Can the public address the board? Yes, during our business meeting-guest speakers (Board Policy 2310) 2. Can board members visit schools/classrooms? Yes, by informing the school's principal of the board member's desire to visit via email. 3. If the teacher coverage is a concern, the new quarter/new semester would be a good time to have one teacher per grade level per school teach the 100% virtual students (Plan C). The other teachers on the grade level could teach the in-person students (Plan A). This suggestion has been sent to the task force to discuss. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKNdDZOploN/?igshid=97fpo0ftlmqq

I just wanted to take a moment to say how much I appreciate all of the CCS staff who have submitted suggestions to the goggle doc created by one of our brave CCS teachers! As well as all of the staff who have invited me to their schools/classrooms. Thanks for being a part of the solution. We are all in this together! #ittakesavillage #bettertogether #bethechangeyouwanttosee Keshia https://www.instagram.com/p/CKHSFqXJNMk/?igshid=3wpnvhg1ke5v

#ittakesavillage #bettertogether #bethechangeyouwanttosee

This week's Q&A: •Can the Execptional Childrens Director attend more meetings to report out? I actually like this idea and when we get a better handle on Covid I will ask our board's thoughts on implementation. EC in my opinion has been placed on the back burner for far too long. •How was the task force formed? Was there an application process? Members of the task force were selected by Board Chair Grimsley , Dr. Lowder, and Brian Schultz. No, there was not an application process for the task force members. •What do you mean by Health = virtual. It's my opinion that people who have significant health concerns and have been written out of work by a physician; should be allowed to teach virtually. This is only my opinion and does not represent the decisions of the BOE/CCS. Any CCS Employee with significant health concerns should bring these to the attention of their principal and ultimately HR. There is a form to complete and and 30 page explanation on the CCS HR page for employees to view. •Why didn't I receive a parent survey? Surveys were only sent out to PreK-5 parents. •Why are you now in support of face to face learning? I am not asking staff to do anything I wouldn't do myself. I am absolutely willing to come teach a class and be in the schools with staff and students. I'm planning to send my daughter back in B on 1/19/2021 from being remote since March 2020. I would've been 1 of 2 members voting for C not enough to keep the schools from going back into Plan B to begin with. Our schools in my opinion are not the reason for the community spread so why continue to penalize our children? Our schools have been deemed safe by CHA. Keshia https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ85FiSJhDS/?igshid=1cgl3xsjssat0

I’m deeply saddened by today’s events and circumstances in our nation’s capital. Our country needs our thoughtful prayers in this dark moment. May God bless and keep the men and women who’ll protect and serve our democracy tonight! https://www.instagram.com/p/CJuOnfLJ-5g/?igshid=1hqbxjviarr7m

Question from last week: What are the plans for accommodating IEP's with in person time while remote learning remains in place? Answer: "We are following US Department of Education (USDOE) and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) guidance to provide all EC services regardless of the plan (A, B, C). Students who require assistive technology or specific equipment (standers, specialized chairs, etc.) were provided with that equipment in their homes early in the school year." https://www.instagram.com/p/CJXioxbJQW6/?igshid=n5hho7esr8m

Happy Holidays Cabarrus County! #ittakesavillage https://www.instagram.com/p/CJOnuvKp7Bm/?igshid=1snypoot6jsl8

#ittakesavillage

The onus is on us all. I want better for our children and they deserve it! We must have legislators who are willing to have those tough conversations that invoke not only planning but action. Education is uber important and should be treated as such! *Average teacher pay: NC is ~$54K & US is ~$64K *NC ranks 30th in average salaries of teachers *Effective Jan. 2021, new NC teachers will not get health care at retirement *NC ranks 46th in per pupil funding *NC ranks 50th in principal pay *NC has over 50K children on Pre-K waiting list *58% of NC 3-4 year olds are not in pre-school *NCGA cut 8K teaching assistant jobs since 2008 *43% of NC Children live in poor or low-income homes *Children of color are 45% of all NC children, but 65% of them live in poverty *~50% of NC kids rely on Medicaid & NC Health Choice for all health care *Suicide: 2nd leading cause of death for NC children ages 10-17 *No NC Teaching Fellows Program at any HBCU *NC's Cumulative funding as of 2020: $1.2B Vouchers & $5B Charter Schools *NC has worst corporate tax rate in US-2.5% (VA & SC is 5%) limits money for the public good *NC funds only ~50% of needed school-based helping professionals *NC only funds ~50% of Special Ed funds needed; Federal $ for extra cost of special ed less than 20% * NC students with IEPs: 64% economically disadvantaged & 25% at high-poverty schools *NC's Black, LatinX, & Native American homes are over 10% less likely to have internet Source: NC Public Schools First #repost from Jen Mangrum https://www.instagram.com/p/CI4d5TPpUf1/?igshid=12eopha2g0byh

#repost

I cannot begin to put into words how it felt to be sworn in to the Cabarrus County Board of Education last night. However I know for a fact I made my family proud. I also know that our children, their families, their school staff and our community can rest assured-my vote will always rest on the side of what's best for our entire community & not a select few! Contact your board here: https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/domain/2348 Listen to board meetings here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR0rf0RhMGn4YTtC7YcMS7-RjFiI2Iz6MLKumX6OJQyJFKrkeaccjkXIVYY&feature=youtu.be&v=pMiPV8Y8URw #ittakesavillage #bettertogether #forwardcabarrus #service https://www.instagram.com/p/CIjkcHApUrr/?igshid=18x87cp26afh1

#ittakesavillage #bettertogether #forwardcabarrus #service

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