NH State Representative Steven Smith

VLACS Update

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Dear Students and Guardians,

In 2019 we received approximately 2,000 enrollment requests from mid-July to mid-August. This year, we’ve processed almost 15,000 enrollment requests during the same period. Given the unpredictable nature of this pandemic, we are dealing with two major enrollment problems.

It’s difficult to forecast how many of the 15,000 enrollment requests will become enabled students during the next six weeks, which could have a significant effect on our staffing and budget.
To meet the demands of this enrollment surge, in addition to the sixty instructors that we’ve hired since July 1, we are hiring and training new instructors and support staff. For these reasons, we are closing enrollment for all waitlisted courses. When our capacity increases to eliminate the waitlist in a particular course, it will be re-opened.

What is open and what is closed?

Elementary: All courses are closed.
Middle School: Some middle school courses are open.
High School: Most high school courses are open.
Adult Education: All courses are open.

Please see our learning catalog for the most up-to-date information.

https://vlacs.org/

FAQs

Q: What does “closed” mean.
A: Students will not be able to enroll in courses designated as closed. When our capacity increases and waitlists are eliminated for a particular course, it will be reopened.

Q: How long will course registrations be closed?
A: It’s hard to forecast. Some course waitlists may be quickly eliminated, and the courses reopened while others may take weeks to resolve, especially at the elementary level. When our capacity increases and waitlists are eliminated for a particular course, it will be reopened.

Q: If a student is currently on a waitlist, will they be activated at some point?
A: Yes. We’re working on a way to provide approximate activation dates to students.

Q: Are you still accepting applications to become a full-time student at VLACS?
A: Yes, at the middle and high school levels.

Q: What if a course enrollment is not available on the opening day at my local school?
A: Please contact your local school for an answer to this question. One option is that students can focus on other courses they are enrolled in while waiting for seats to open.

Q: Are you hiring new instructors to expand your capacity?
A: Yes, we have hired 60 new instructors since July 1, and we are now advertising for another group of elementary, middle, and high school instructors.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of courses that a student who is full-time at another school or homeschooled can complete at VLACS?
A: Yes, part-time VLACS students (i.e., students not enrolled as VLACS full-time students) may earn up to six credits between July 1 and June 30.

Q: Does VLACS follow a traditional academic year calendar?
A: No, students may enroll in a course at any time, work throughout the year, and progress at a pace that meets their academic needs.

Q: Can students withdraw from a VLACS course?
A: Yes, at any time.

vlacs

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

August 13 Update

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Cases up again in Sullivan County

Acworth has an active case again, along with active cases in Charlestown, Claremont, Newport and Grantham.

1 more COVID-19 death, 26 new cases reported in NH, officials say

https://www.wmur.com/article/1-more-covid-19-death-26-new-cases-reported-in-nh-officials-say/33589081

Rapid test systems sent to NH nursing homes, despite concerns about accuracy

https://www.wmur.com/article/rapid-test-systems-sent-to-nh-nursing-homes-despite-concerns-about-accuracy/33588645

NH Department of Education releases reopening surveys categorized by district

https://www.wmur.com/article/nh-department-of-education-releases-reopening-surveys-categorized-by-district/33590364

Liquor Commission prepares to enforce rules at Motorcycle Week

https://www.wmur.com/article/liquor-commission-prepares-to-enforce-rules-at-motorcycle-week/33589070

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – August 12th, 2020

On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, DHHS announced 26 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,887 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there is one individual under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 62% being female and 38% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (5), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (3), Sullivan (3), Belknap (2), Cheshire (2), Carroll (1), Grafton (1), Merrimack (1), and Strafford (1) counties, and in the cities of Nashua (5) and Manchester (1). The county of residence is being determined for one new case.

Hospitalizations

No new hospitalized cases were identified for a total of 705 (10%) of 6,887 cases.

Community Based Transmission

Community-based transmission continues to occur in the State and has been identified in all counties.

Deaths

DHHS has also announced one additional death related to COVID-19.

1 male resident of Hillsborough County, 60 years of age and older

Cumulative Positive Tests by County

Belknap 117
Carroll 95
Cheshire 103
Coos 17
Grafton 105
Hillsborough – Other 1,249
Hillsborough – Manchester 1839
Hillsborough – Nashua 784
Merrimack 467
Rockingham 1703
Strafford 363
Sullivan 44

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(data updated August 12th, 2020, 9:00 AM)

NH Persons with COVID-191 6,887
Recovered 6,162 (89%)
Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 420 (6%)
Total Current COVID-19 Cases 305
Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 705 (10%)
Current Hospitalizations 18
Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories,
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 180,451

Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody

Laboratory Tests 28,195
Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL 39,073
Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL 821
Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 2,825

Number of Specimens Tested by Date of Report to NH DHHS

Information above, and archived daily updates are available here: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/news/updates.htm

Regional Information (total positive test results, deaths)

Look-back period is 1 week.

NH: 6,887 positive test results 420 deaths (1 week ago: 6,719 positive test results 418 deaths) (+168/+2)

MA: 122,000 positive test results 8769 deaths (1 week ago: 119,643 positive test results 8659 deaths) (+2357/+110)

ME: 4,070 positive test results 126 deaths (1 week ago: 3,992 positive test results 124 deaths)

VT: 1,478 positive test results 58 deaths (1 week ago: 1,436 positive test results 57 deaths)

CT: 50,706 positive test results 4,450 deaths (1 week ago: 50,225 positive test results 4,437 deaths)

RI: 20,129 positive test results 1018 deaths (1 week ago: 19,481 positive test results 1012 deaths)

NY: 427,419 positive test results 32,384 deaths (1 week ago: 422,935 positive test results 32,431 deaths) (+4,484/-47)

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Emergency Orders – August 12

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Rep. Steven Smith

Masks for events with over 100 attendees

This afternoon, I am issuing an Emergency Order to help minimize health and safety concerns around large scheduled events and gatherings, requiring scheduled gatherings of 100+ people to wear masks, effective immediately.‬

‪New Hampshire citizens have been diligent in social distancing and mask wearing, and we continue to see very positive numbers. We know a spike could occur at any time, and we know that large events that gather over 100 individuals often have folks coming from out of state.

‪Education is always the first step, but we won’t hesitate to enforce penalties and fines on event organizers who willfully, and dangerously, disobey these rules.‬

‪Of course, while smaller events don’t pose the same risks, we strongly encourage mask usage for everyone, every time they cannot socially distance.

https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt336/files/documents/emergency-order-63.pdf

An order protecting pre-existing non-conforming use status for summer camps unable to operate due to COVID-19 during the summer of 2020

https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt336/files/documents/emergency-order-62.pdf

21 new cases of COVID-19 reported in NH; no new deaths for 5th day in a row

https://www.wmur.com/article/21-new-cases-of-covid-19-reported-in-nh-no-new-deaths-for-5th-day-in-a-row/33577609

Test turnaround times improve, health commissioner says

https://www.wmur.com/article/test-turnaround-times-improve-health-commissioner-says/33578076

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – August 11th, 2020

On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, DHHS announced 21 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,861 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, all are adults with 33% being female and 67% being male. The new cases reside in Rockingham (7), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (3), Cheshire (2), Strafford (2), Grafton (1), and Sullivan (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (3) and Nashua (2).