Message from the Superintendent

  • Greetings, and welcome back to an adventurous Photo of Dr. Cunningham school year!

    First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we, as a nation and community, responded to the unexpected invasion of COVID-19 in March. I am very proud of how our HCS staff, parents, students, and community leaders handled the demands and challenges to complete the school year. Together, we continued to educate and feed our students during the most unusual of circumstances.

    Halifax County Schools will launch its digital frontier in the 2020-2021 school year. During this unprecedented time, much like trailblazing, Halifax County Schools is cutting digital paths to remote learning success. We’re confident that our District Remote Learning Plan is in the best interest of the HCS community. As you are aware, the HCS Board of Education approved the first 9-weeks recommendation for the reopening of elementary and secondary schools under Reopening Option C. With that said, the timeline of our COVID-19 frontier story is entering another phase. Let’s recap, and forge ahead! 

    Phase I

    3/16/2020 – 6/10/2020

    “Unchartered Waters” – Remote Learning Began

    Phase II

    6/11/2020 – 7/31/2020

    “Riding the Waves” – Virtual Summer Camps

    Phase III

    8/3/2020 – 10/22/2020

    “Anchoring Down” – Reopening the Digital Frontier

    As we enter Phase III, we are preparing to bring our staff back to begin reopening under our “new normal”. We have to learn from our past and reimagine Halifax County Schools with a focus on what’s essential. Understand that essential does not mean basic --it means absolutely necessary! Keeping our students and staff as safe as possible is essential, and remains our top priority. Next, we’re taking steps to ensure all learners have the necessary access to online learning materials.  

    We’re launching a new Reopening Schools tab on our HCS webpage.  There, you can easily locate updated information on the HCS Reopening Plan, Reopening Process Flow Charts, and the District Remote Instruction Plan. I encourage all parents and guardians to frequently visit the HCS webpage, and follow our social media for up to date and accurate information. Learn more about your children’s remote instructional day by visiting their school webpages. Access the Teacher Information page for your students’ remote class schedule, links to assignments, lesson videos, support resources, office hours, and more.

    Many thanks for your continued support as we strive to do what is best for ALL of our students and staff during these challenging times. Remember, you are an essential part of your child’s success on our remote digital frontier this year!

    Dr. Eric L. Cunningham,
    Superintendent