In a special meeting held Tuesday, Nov, 17, the Portsmouth School Board approved three recommendations presented by Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy, III. The superintendent referenced the rising number of cases of COVID-19 in this region as the primary reason for these recommended changes.
These changes are:
- Beginning the week of Nov. 23, all students, including special education students and English Language Learners, will be provided instruction on a virtual model until the second semester.
- The date for employees to physically report to work was moved from Monday, Nov. 23, 2020 to Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021.
- The reopening of schools for in-person instruction will be phased. Those new dates are: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021 for Pre-K through Grade 3; Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 for Grades 4, 5 and 6; and Monday, Mar. 1, 2021 for Grades 7 through 12. Students who report to school will be those students whose parents choose the hybrid model for them (two half-days of instruction and three days of virtual learning). A virtual learning option, which involves all instruction being delivered online, will continue to be offered through the end of the school year for those students whose parents choose that option for them.