HAMPTON — Superintendent Kathleen Murphy reports that Hampton School District is closing its facilities for the next three weeks and having students participate in remote learning in an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the school community.
There are no positive or presumptive cases of the virus within Hampton School District at this time.
Based on the guidance and direction of the state’s Department of Education, online learning will now be extended until at least April 3. Should that change, we will notify the community immediately.
COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic last week by the World Health Organization and has moved President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency.
“This decision has not been made lightly, and we recognize the hardship and challenges closing our schools will pose to our district families, students, faculty and staff,” Superintendent Murphy said. “However, the health and well being of our school community is our main priority, as always. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.”
While school facilities are closed, students will be provided with paper packets and/or online instructional materials. Students in grades three through eight will utilize Chromebooks to maintain online learning. Materials provided by teachers will seek to continue to engage student’s minds and provide an opportunity for continued learning.
Hampton teachers and staff have prepared paper packets and various materials to support continued learning, which parents and guardians are being asked to pick up between the hours of 12 and 4 p.m. at their child’s school building on Tuesday, March 17.
The district has partnered with First Student Bus Transportation to deliver instructional materials to the homes of students whose families are unable to pick up materials in-person on Tuesday.
Teachers will be available by email, phone and online to communicate with students over the coming weeks.
The district is additionally working with Hampton Food Services Director Mary Borg, End 68 Hours of Hunger, the Gather food program and other local vendors to address the absence of regular breakfast and lunch meals for students who qualify for meal assistance.
District families may pick up breakfast and lunch meals each day at Marston School from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and meals will be delivered directly to those unable to pick them up in person by First Student Bus Transportation.
The SAU 90 office will remain open and conduct school business while school buildings remain closed, and accessibility to the office will be limited to district employees. Parents and guardians with additional questions are encouraged to contact Superintendent Murphy and/or their school principal over the coming weeks by email or by calling the district directly at 603-926-4560.
If you have COVID-19 specific questions, the State of New Hampshire has established a call center to assist you, which can be reached by calling 211 or 1-866-444-4211.
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