On Friday, Apr. 9, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill into law that requires schools to offer in-person learning over the summer for students who struggled with learning during the pandemic. There will be two separate sessions: Thursday, June 10 through Thursday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 6 through Thursday, July 29. 

     “There are select schools throughout the county that will be summer school sites,” Rose guidance counselor Christa Monroe said. “At present, Rose will not be one of those sites, however, Rose students will be able to attend summer school at another site.” 

      Teachers and counselors are submitting names of students that they think may benefit or would be interested in attending. Students can have their parents fill out a form if they are interested in attending as well. Although it is encouraged for students who have struggled to attend, it is ultimately the parent and student’s decision to attend summer school. 

      “The district leaders are still working out the details, but parents and students are being notified about the opportunity,” Monroe said. 

     Transportation and meals will be provided to students who participate in this opportunity. Classes will last from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

     Monroe and others hope that this will encourage students to replace their credit that was lost during the school year. 

     “High school students participating in summer school will have access to courses offered through the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS). At-risk students will have time built into the instructional day for teachers to provide individual or small group instruction,” according to house bill 82. At-risk students include people with medical conditions and pregnant people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

     “COVID has had a huge impact on education and many students have fallen behind,” Monroe said. “This is an effort to address learning loss due to COVID with a summer opportunity for academic growth.” 

     Teachers who are interested in teaching summer should have applied by Friday, May 7. Teachers who provide instruction during summer school will receive a bonus from the state. 

     “We are pretty sure that most course classes required for graduation will be offered for students to recover lost credit,” Monroe said. 

     Monroe believes that this bill was expected, although the school will not fully realize the effects of COVID-19 on student performance for another few years. 

     “Serious medical conditions will be handled on a case by case basis,” Monroe said. 

     School districts should create an effective summer school plan and