The A-group will attend school on campus on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the B group will attend school on campus on Thursdays and Fridays. Both the A-group and B-group will participate in remote learning on Wednesdays. The other two days that students are not on campus each week, they will also participate in remote learning. Our opening schedule followed the same A/B cohort pattern, and students will remain in the same cohort they were assigned to at the beginning of the school year.
In the Phase 2 schedule, some exceptional education and ESL students will attend a half-day on Wednesday as previously outlined in our HCS Reentry Plan.
School Reopening Task Force Update
The School Reopening Task Force has continued to meet throughout the fall, and has two remaining meetings for the semester during December. A survey will be distributed this Friday, Dec. 4, to help determine potential updates to the HCS Reentry Plan that may be implemented for the spring semester. We will share more information about this survey with staff and families soon.
Resources for Families
We know the Phase 2 schedule can present challenges for families including internet access, childcare, and learning support. The district has partnered with organizations across our community to provide resources for families who may need more support in a remote learning environment.
Here are resources available to families:
- Virtual Learning Centers - The district has partnered with organizations throughout Hamilton County to establish Virtual Learning Centers. These centers offer an in-person environment for students to gather in small groups, under the supervision of qualified adults (volunteer or staff), to engage in remote learning. There are Virtual Learning Centers currently operating to support HCS at Home families, and there are more centers being added during Phase 2 to provide additional support for families. Education Well-Check services are also available for students who meet certain criteria. This service provides a Virtual Success Coach for remote learning students who are disengaged or struggling academically.
- HCS EdConnect Powered by EPB - Hamilton County Schools has joined with EPB of Chattanooga to offer high-speed internet services at no cost to families who receive free-or-reduced lunch. To sign up for HCS EdConnect, eligible families can call their child’s school to opt in to the service. After opting in, families must contact EPB to schedule their installation.
- Parent Toolkit - To support families with virtual learning, the district has created a Parent Toolkit on our website that includes technology tips, our family resource center, and a guide to our Parent University courses.
- School Age-Child Care - A limited number of School-Age Child Care sites will be open to provide support for families. Visit our website to learn more.
As a reminder, it is important for us all to continue to follow the healthy behaviors outlined in the HCS SAFE Pledge, including staying at home when sick or with a pending COVID-19 test. These preventative measures are making a difference in keeping our children and staff healthy, and we want to do everything possible to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone in our schools.
