Ken McLemore

HOPE – Campuses of the Hope Public Schools will pivot to virtual learning exclusively through the remainder of the week, HPS Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley announced today.

“Due to rising COVID-19 positives and quarantines, we will pivot to virtual instruction for all schools effective tomorrow Jan. 6, 2022,” Dr. Crossley said. “At minimum, the timeline for virtual instruction will be from Jan. 6-7 with classes resuming Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.”

Crossley said the decision was made in consultation with the Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Department of Education.

“Further notification will come tomorrow or Friday about next week,” he said. “There is a possibility that the number of days for virtual instruction will continue into next week. With this in mind, be prepared for an extended timeline for virtual instruction.”

All students and staff will work from home during the next two days, Crossley said.

“The health of staff and students is our major focus right now,” he said. “We will deep clean all campuses by the end of the day Friday.”

UPDATE

Crossley said he will notify parents, students, faculty and staff regarding on-going circumstances as soon as guidance from ADH and ADE are set based upon data from the HPS and Hempstead County.

“Thank you for your continued support as we combat COVID-19,” he said. “Our goal is safety for our staff and students. Please let us know if you have any questions.”.

MEALS

Meals for the week for students will be provided by drive-through pickup in the Yerger Middle School bus line from 12-2 p.m. Thursday.

BOBCAT CLINIC

The Bobcat Clinic on the Hope High School campus will remain open for regular business hours Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bobcat Clinic Director Gretchen Carlton said the clinic will conduct a Pfizer vaccine clinic Jan. 12.

“This is a good time to consider vaccinations,” Carlton said. “Call 722-2733, option 2, to schedule an appointment if you do not have a current medical provider.”

Carlton reminded HPS students and staff of COVID-19 guidance.

“Anyone exposed to a positive case, having symptoms and/or testing positive, needs to remain home until they are given a release date,” she said. “They should email me at [email protected] with student name, grade and contact telephone number.”