19 Neighbors Invited to Catch Corona On CMS Property!

Posted in: Madison Park
What’s happening in Madison Park.
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August Meeting
  Sorry, for the late notification. We WILL have an outdoor meeting in the WEST side of Madison Central Park in the shade of the trees by the path.
   You must RSVP to President@Madisonparkcharlotte.org. We can only have 19 neighbors attend plus the 6 board members to be in compliance with the State Mandate on outdoor gatherings. We are following the State and CDC protocols. You must wear a mask and be 6 feet away from others not in your household. If you think you have been exposed or you are showing symptoms, please, stay home. 
  Bring something to sit on and a feel free to bring a non-alcoholic beverage (Madison Central Park belongs to CharMeck Schools, so, alcohol, non-prescription drugs and firearms are STRICTLY forbidden).
WHEN: MONDAY AUGUST 10th at 7:00PM 
Where: Madison Central Park 805 Seneca Place 



   If you have any other topics or concerns you would like us to address, please, send me an email at president@madisonparkcharlotte.org 

COVID-19 & Use of Park and Recreation Facilities 

For the health and safety of our staff and visitors, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is limiting access to many of our facilities.  When you head out to enjoy our beautiful parks, greenways and other facilities, we ask that you follow all CDC guidelines, as well as executive orders from Governor Roy Cooper.

For your safety, know and follow the three W's:

  • WEAR a cloth covering over your nose and mouth when in public places, indoor or outdoor, where physical distancing of six (6) feet from others not in your household is not possible.
  • WAIT six (6) feet apart to avoid close contact with others.
  • WASH your hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer.
Groups of fewer than 25 may gather for social or recreational purposes in County parks, provided they adhere to the "Three W's" above.
The following Park and Recreation amenities are open to the public.
- All Parks, Greenways and Nature Preserves
- County Golf Courses (the Pineville Driving Range remains closed)
- Tennis and Pickleball Courts
- Athletic Fields - open for reservations with some restrictions.  Please contact us for details.
Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center is now open with limited hours.  Please visit its website to review hours and other operational information.
- The following Recreation and Nature Centers are offering limited summer programming:  Mallard Creek Recreation Center, Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, Albemarle Road Recreation Center, Methodist Home Recreation Center, Southview Recreation Center, Stevens Creek Nature Center, Latta Nature Center, McDowell Nature Center and Reedy Creek Nature Center.  Please visit our e-parks registration site for details.
- Public restrooms have reopened; however, the Department will continue to offer port-a-johns and handwashing stations for public use at select park locations.
- Camping at McDowell Nature Preserve will reopen to the public on July 20.
- Boat Ramps at Ramsey Creek Park, Blythe Landing Park and Copperhead Island are open to the public.
The following Park and Recreation amenities are closed to the public:
- Playgrounds
- Spraygrounds
- All Recreation, Senior and Nature Centers unless you have pre-registered for a program
- Indoor Pavilions
- Sport courts
Additionally, please note that all planned in-person public meetings and presentations have been postponed until further notice.  Many of our public input sessions are now being offered in a virtual capacity.  Please monitor our social media accounts and this website for details.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Park and Recreation staff stands in solidarity with our community in the pursuit of health, wellness and leisure despite these trying times.
Please contact us via email at:  park-admin@mecklenburgcountync.gov with other questions, comments and concerns, or to request a refund.
For more information on COVID, please peruse the following sites:

 

CMS parking lots and school playgrounds are closed

CMS parking lots are closed for vehicle parking and playgrounds and school properties are closed to all citizens, unless related to grab and go meal distribution or student instructional materials or devices. The mandatory order includes no pets allowed on school properties and playgrounds.

 

April 6, 2020 - Reminders

April 13-17 is spring break for CMS. Thursday, April 9 is a teacher workday and Friday, April 10 is a holiday. Our district will not be providing instructional materials during those days or spring break. The CMS grab and go meal sites will not be operational on April 10 (Good Friday) but will remain operational during spring break. We encourage all families to observe the stay at home order unless picking up grab and go meals or instructional materials.

CMS school playgrounds are closed

CMS playgrounds and school properties are closed to all citizens, unless related to grab and go meal distribution or student instructional materials or devices. The mandatory order includes no pets allowed on school properties and playgrounds. 

March 25, 2020 - Information about school proms

Governor Roy Cooper's declaration regarding the expanded school closure through May 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has impacted a number of end of the school year activities. As a result, CMS has made a decision to cancel all school proms in 2020. There is no guarantee that the COVID-19 virus will have reached its peak and we cannot assure families that the health danger will be diminished by the time our proms were scheduled to take place. We will be working with families and vendors to determine refunds for fees paid for this event. While we realize this is not the news students wanted to hear, we thought it was important to make and share our decision in a timely manner.

 

March 24, 2020 - COVID-19 Update to Board of Education

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education received the following update March 24 on district initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the file for information on areas such as meal distribution, instructional plans and remote supplemental learning.

COVID-19 BOE 3.24.20.pdf

 

March 23, 2020 - Governor announces schools to remain closed for students through May 15

Gov. Roy Cooper announced March 23 that all public schools in North Carolina will remain closed for in-person instruction until May 15. The decision was made amid the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis.

"Remote learning has been designed so that CMS students can continue learning at home during this time," said Dr. Matt Hayes, deputy superintendent for academics (click here). Hayes is also encouraging parents to ensure contact information is updated with teachers and principals to enhance lesson continuity.

A lot has been accomplished in a short amount of time, but it became clear this would be a multi-month event. The focus remains on remote learning and meal preparation and distribution, and the Department of Public Instruction already has teams planning for schools and legislative requests that will be required as students remain out of school. DPI is working with the governor's team, State Board of Education and the General Assembly.

 

March 23, 2020 Supplemental learning resources available

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the routines of CMS students, families and staff. To help re-establish the routine of learning for students, schools have been given access to supplemental learning resources.

These resources are located on the CMS website (click here). There are numerous lessons and activities designed to help students remain engaged in learning. Please note that lessons found on the site will not be graded. The site is simply a place where students can find appropriate materials that will supplement their learning while they are out of school. Print copies of learning resources for students in grades K-3 also are available at CMS school sites where meals are provided daily.

In addition to information regarding learning content, the CMS website also has information regarding how to secure and operate student devices, how to obtain internet access and how to contact support, if needed. The district is working to provide consistent access to mobile devices and internet at home. If home internet access is not available, families should contact Spectrum Cable, which is offering 60 days of internet access for free. The number is 844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. Schools will reach out to families with contact information should they need assistance with their devices.

The district thanks its families for doing everything possible to be safe and healthy, and for their continued support.

 

March 20, 2020 - News on behalf of the CMS Foundation

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, the John M. Belk Endowment, and the David Belk Cannon Foundation announced a $1M gift to the CMS Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. The gift will be used to purchase six thousand mobile hotspots with six months of prepaid internet services for students without access to home connectivity.

The David A. Tepper Charitable Foundation made a gift of $650,000. The John M. Belk Endowment contributed $250,000 and the David Belk Cannon Foundation contributed $100,000.

The CMS Foundation launched the COVID-19 Relief Fund on Monday to meet the critical needs of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ students and families while schools are closed due to the coronavirus. Ensuring students had internet connectivity to access online learning opportunities was identified as an immediate need. The CMS Foundation partnered with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and local nonprofit Eliminate the Digital Divide (E2D) to secure a deal for the mobile hotspots and prepaid service.

“Today’s gift is an inspiring example of what can happen when groups come together. We know that this gift and every single donation from our community will help us address critical needs in our school district at this unprecedented time,” said CMS Foundation Executive Director Sonja Gantt.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools serves more than 148,000 students and is the second largest school district in North Carolina. The district allowed students in fourth through twelfth grade to take home the laptops they use in school. 

“We all understand that internet access is no longer a luxury. It is essential. This gift addresses an equity issue in our community, and I am truly grateful to these three organizations for leading the way in this time of crisis and helping us meet this need. Their generosity will have a meaningful impact on our students,” said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Earnest Winston.

Reporters may contact: Sonja Gantt | Executive Director, CMS Foundation
sgantt@cms-foundation.org | Desk: 980-343-0084 | Mobile: 704-280-9592


March 16, 2020 - CMS restores school calendar

In its second emergency meeting about COVID-19 (coronavirus) in four days, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education voted to restore the district school calendar to its original form and approved the superintendent's plan for distance learning for students, and remote and alternative work for employees.

On March 13, the Board voted in an emergency meeting to move spring break up into March from its scheduled time in April. The change was intended to allow the district to keep students safely out of school without sacrificing required instructional hours. However, on March 14, Gov. Roy Cooper announced all public schools statewide would be closed until March 30, making the change to the CMS calendar unnecessary.

"We are in a very fluid, very fast-moving health crisis," said Elyse Dashew, chairperson of the Board of Education. "We hope that returning to the original academic calendar will provide a sense of stability in these uncertain times. However, we must all be prepared for the real possibility that our lives will not be back to normal by April. It is possible that schools will be closed much longer than two weeks."

Dashew said the Board would continue to work closely with state and local officials in government, emergency management and healthcare to keep students and employees safe.


Governor Roy Cooper has ordered all K-12 schools to close for two weeks, effective Monday, March 16, 2020

As COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases increase across the state, Governor Roy Cooper has ordered all K-12 schools to close for two weeks, effective Monday, March 16, 2020. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will be closed for students for at least two weeks beginning Monday, March 16. This includes the CMS before- and after-school program. We will work to keep school buildings open on Monday. We will provide more information to staff as we receive more answers from the state. 

Given the Governor’s decision, the CMS Board of Education plans to schedule a meeting to vote to return to the original school calendar. 

The coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented community health concern. CMS executive leaders, in partnership with local and state officials, are developing plans to address these exceptional circumstances. These plans include feeding students and continuing learning using a virtual platform. We understand that families and staff will be affected by this decision and we appreciate your patience and flexibility as we work to navigate the closure of schools. In the coming days, parents will receive information about opportunities for students to continue learning. As decisions are made, information will be shared through our normal communication channels. 

We will continue to provide updates to questions families and staff will likely have. Many responses will depend on decisions at the state level. Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience. We will communicate more details as they become available.


March 13, 2020 - District update

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education announced in a special called emergency meeting school closures. The Board amended the 2019-2020 academic calendar to begin the school closure on Thursday, March 19.

"As we have been dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic there have been some difficult decisions we needed to make," said Superintendent Earnest Winston. "Beginning, March 19 we will be closing school to students."

Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, will become teacher workdays. The vote means spring break will be moved from April 13-17, the new spring break will be March 23-27.

These changes will allow time to prepare for virtual and other forms of instructional delivery should they become necessary.

The district will release further details as they become available.

 

March 12, 2020 - District update 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is taking several proactive steps as part of our ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus. As a district, we are emphasizing keeping school environments clean, promoting social distancing and limiting students and staff exposure to individuals who may be affected.

Volunteers

  • The district has notified school volunteers that all volunteer activities have been suspended.

Athletic Activities

  • The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has suspended interscholastic athletics beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 13, through Monday, April 6, 2020. This weekend's Men's and Women's Basketball State Championships also have been postponed. We are following similar guidelines for middle school and K-8 athletics, which will be canceled indefinitely. This means that there will be no practices or games for middle and high school athletic teams.

  • In addition, any school-based events happening before or after normal school hours are canceled, effective Saturday, March 14. 

Competitions/School Performances

  • All competitions and school-based performances are canceled, effective Saturday, March 14

School-based Activities

  • All before- and after-school enrichment programs will operate on a normal schedule.

  • Offsite professional development for staff will be conducted using a virtual format.

Community Events

  • The CMS Career Fair scheduled for Saturday, April 4, is canceled.

  • District-sponsored community meetings – including budget and facility master plan informational sessions – have been canceled indefinitely.

  • All Community Use of Schools (CUS) events are canceled until further notice. We will work with our partners who have CUS contracts to issue credits or process refunds as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your patience during this rapidly changing environment. We will continue to monitor this situation and make decisions as they are needed, and we'll keep you informed. Please visit our CMS website and follow us on social media for additional updates. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe and healthy.

 

Resources:

Mecklenburg County Government

https://www.mecknc.gov/news/Pages/Update-on-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/COVID19.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html

The North Carolina Division of Public Health has established a call line at 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions about coronavirus from the public. 

 
   
     
 
 
 

You guys should be using zoom or something for your meetings.    There is nothing this group does that is of such importance to take any chance of getting someone ill.

 

Plus how is 19 residents out of around 1750 residential homes in the footprint even fair?

 

Are you allowing couples from one location to attend the meeting?  If so that takes away from an additional opinion or feedback.   

 

I suggest that you alert residents how they can ask questions via email.  Then you guys come up with answers and say what you want to say through your official web site, and perhaps a neighborhood news letter until the Covid Crisis has passed.  

 

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