HCPS: Tackling the closure, by the numbers

Henrico, Va. June 29, 2020 — Henrico County Public Schools’ closure in March to stem the spread of the coronavirus has created challenges for Henrico families. HCPS staff members across the school division quickly began to invent new ways of serving families, with creative approaches to online learning, technology repair, meals distribution and much more. With the arrival of summer, we looked at some of the numbers tallied during the closure.

 

Responding to the closure, by the numbers:

 

  • 5,850: Chromebook computers the HCPS Department of Technology has distributed as of June 10 to families of HCPS elementary students in need of computers for educational purposes during the pandemic.
  • 475: Wi-Fit hot-spot devices distributed as of June 23 by the HCPS Department of Technology to families lacking internet service for on-demand learning. About 50 of these were loaned to HCPS staff members in need of internet.
  • 401,000: Grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts distributed as of June 15 to students in need of nutrition during the pandemic.
  • 149: Number of new instructional videos created by HCPS educators so far to complement on-demand learning (go to https://www.youtube.com/henricoschoolstv and click on “EDFlix” under playlists).
  • 652,600: Dollars donated as of June 24 by the community to aid the Henrico Education Foundation’s efforts for families affected by the pandemic. (Want to join the 843 community donors? Go to the Henrico Education Foundation’s secure donation site, https://henricogives.org/covid19/.)
  • 400: Vulnerable Henrico families presented with one-time $500 stipends by the Henrico Education Foundation to help with the economic demands of the pandemic.
  • 12,000: Food bags distributed directly to Henrico families in need, and to community partners supporting Henrico families, by the HCPS departments of Family and Community Engagement, and Equity, Diversity and Opportunity, in cooperation with Henrico General Government.
  • Nine: Virtual workshop topics presented during the closure as part of the HCPS Department of Community and Family Engagement’s Family Learning Series. They include sessions on self-care, mindfulness, exceptional education updates and supportive home learning environments, created to help families cope with the closure. For videos of the workshops, go to https://henricoschools.us/family-learning-series/.

 

As the school division looks toward reopening in the fall, HCPS is soliciting input from its families and employees. HCPS households and staff members should receive an email with a link to a survey that will help inform HCPS’ planning process. The survey will be open through July 5.