HAMPTON, Va. - Students in Hampton will join other students across Hampton Roads in starting the school year at home amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hampton School Board voted Wednesday night to approve Superintendent Dr. Jeffery O. Smith's return-to-school recommendation for 100% virtual learning for at least the first nine weeks of the 2020-21 academic year unless health conditions improve.
Hampton City Schools join the Newport News,Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake school systems in turning to virtual learning for the beginning of the fall semester.
Smith provided the following reasons for his recommendation:
- Allows health and safety for students and staff to remain a priority
- Increases in COVID-19 cases in Hampton Roads
- Increases in COVID-19 cases among young people in Hampton Roads
- Provides the necessary time to monitor health crisis in Hampton Roads
The recommendation includes revisions to the school district's initial Phase 1 plan. Now, there will be a 100% virtual learning environment for all students, and devices will be give to all students in grades Pre-K-12.
Students will also be required to keep their cameras on when participating in Zoom sessions, with limited exceptions.
Click here to view the school district's full return-to-school plan.
