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Hampton City Schools announces an adjustment to the school calendar - schools and offices will be closed on March 4 & May 27, 2022 - and new partnership with Care Solace

 

Hampton City Schools (HCS) introduced “We Care Leave” in November 2021 when all staff and students were provided with additional time off during the week of Thanksgiving.

 

At that time, the division shared that our teachers and staff continue to work together to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of each young person we serve. In order for us to continue to provide a high-quality education for our students, while managing the impacts of the pandemic, many staff members are being asked to give up planning time to cover classes for those who must be absent, to adjust lessons in order to work with students who may have had to quarantine, and to take on extra duties, all while preparing for daily instruction and meeting the needs of our students. Our support staff have also been navigating challenges as they serve our students and the division. Our families have partnered with us on all of these fronts while navigating their personal situations and challenges. We also shared in November that as we moved forward this school year, we were committed to looking for additional options that may provide more long-term solutions. 

 

During the School Board meeting on the evening of Wednesday, January 19, 2022, two upcoming calendar adjustments were announced to support “We Care Leave” - one day during the third marking period and one day during the fourth marking period:

  • Friday, March 4, 2022, which was originally an early dismissal day for elementary, middle, and high school students, will now be a full day off for all students and staff. All schools and administrative offices will be closed. 
  • Friday, May 27, 2022, (the Friday before the Memorial Day weekend) which was originally an early close day for all students and staff, will now be a full day off for all students and staff. All schools and administrative offices will be closed. 

Please note that students participating in the HCS virtual school model will continue to follow expectations regarding the academic calendar provided through the Virtual Virginia and Edgenuity programs.

In addition to the calendar adjustments, the following was also shared regarding existing tools/programs designed to support staff well-being, as well as a new support that will be available to all staff and our students and their families beginning February 1, 2022.

 

Existing Tools and Programs

New Mental Health Resources

  • An EAP counselor is now available at the HCS Employee Health & Wellness Center for employees.
  • Effective February 1, 2022, HCS is partnering with Care Solace to quickly connect staff as well as students and their families to quality mental health and substance use treatment providers. The service is available 24/7/365 (including nights, weekends, holidays and school breaks). Additional information regarding this service will be available in the near future.