Virtual instruction through the “Hope from Home Virtual Academy” will be offered for Hope Public Schools students who chose not to attend on-campus classes in August. Registration through July 31 is available at the HPS and campus websites at www.hpsdistrict.org online. – Hope Public Schools

HOPE – Registrations for the Hope Public Schools “Hope from Home Virtual Academy” to begin in the fall 2020-2021have taken a brisk start in the first two days of the signup for the alternative to on-campus instruction in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

HPS Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hart said registrations exceeded 150 shortly after noon Tuesday. Registration materials became live on the district and campus websites at www.hpsdistrict.org on Monday.

“We are very encouraged with the response so far,” Dr. Hart said. “We also want to encourage any parent interested in the program to contact their child’s campus principal and ask questions.”

Registration materials are also available at the district administration offices, 117 E. Second St., Hope, Ar., through July 31.

The virtual component will be available to any HPS student who chooses to study online.

“Our virtual program will be taught by fully certified HPS teachers and will deliver the same curriculum that is offered in our on-site classrooms,” Hart said. “The program is open to any student living in the district, and private school students are encouraged to participate.”

Hart noted some key points, including:

--The virtual academy is part of the “Hope United: Plan for Education,” the district’s guidance to a return to school for 2020-2021, which is also available on the district and campus websites.

--Virtual academy students will receive electronic devices provided by HPS for use in their studies, and those devices will become the responsibility of the student.

--Virtual academy students will be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities.

--Students requiring special education services who choose online instruction will be provided services without disruption.

--Opt in/out of virtual class instruction will be allowed during the school year, with frequency and timing guidance to be announced by the district.

--Virtual academy students on campus for any reason should abide by protocols for that campus, including recommended use of face masks provided by the district, building entrance screenings, attention to “social distancing” and engaging in frequent use of hand sanitizer and hand washing practices.

Classes both on-campus and online begin Aug. 13.