VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Virginia Beach City Public Schools are returning to virtual learning due to the state's recent COVID-19 metrics.
Starting Tuesday, all students are heading back to virtual learning through at least the Thanksgiving holiday.
VBCPS says the decision is based on consultation with Virginia Department of Health officials and in the best interest of their students and staff.
Last week, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence told News 3, "So, if we were to get above 10% positivity and if we were to get above 265 cases a day and/or above 265 cases, that's a bright line. We would have no choice at that point. We would have to go back to virtual."
School officials say they have a plan in place that will do everything possible to keep students fed and engaged in their learning for however long the closure is necessary.
As of Tuesday, school buildings and administrative offices will be available to students and families by appointment only. If students need to pick up a Chromebook, medication or other personal items, appointments must be arranged.
For students with disabilities, case managers will collaborate with general educators and ensure that students with disabilities have access to supports and any needed accommodations.
VBCPS will continue to provide breakfast and lunch meals at no charge to all children at all VBCPS schools. Breakfast and lunch are provided via the drive by/pickup model that was used over the summer, with bagged meals provided Monday through Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with the Friday bag containing food for Saturday and Sunday.
If you are having technical issues, call their customer support center at (757) 263-1111, or visit their website by clicking here.
Governor Ralph Northam announced new COVID-19 restrictions on Friday after the Commonwealth saw case numbers rising again in November.
Beginning on Sunday, the restriction on gatherings dropped from 250 to 25 people.
The case increase from Sunday to Monday was the single highest day increase in Virginia since the start of the pandemic.
Virginia has seen more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases statewide every day since October 27, with a spike on November 7 of 2,103 cases reported in a day.
