HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City Schools (HCS) announced its plans on Friday for students not enrolled in the Huntsville Virtual Academy (HVA) to return to schools for in-person instruction.
As outlined in the HCS Reset Plan, students will return to school using an A day/B day staggered schedule. Students will engage in live instruction every day both face-to-face and online.
Non-HVA (Huntsville Virtual Academy) students will return to school, by grade level, on the following dates:
- Week of Sept. 14, 2020: Pre-K - 8
- Week of Sept. 21, 2020: 9 - 12
HCS administrators say they made the decision to return students to school after witnessing improvements in the public health situation in North Alabama. The decision was made in conjunction with local health and city officials.
“The hallmark of our plans surrounding a phased and staggered re-entry is the flexibility to adjust to the public health situation,” said HCS Superintendent Christie Finley.
The district says families of non-HVA students may opt for their students to continue to engage in remote learning until the end of the first nine weeks. The first nine weeks ends on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.
HCS administrators will provide an update at the Sept. 3, 2020, HCS Board of Education meeting.
Principals will provide information to families by Sept. 4, 2020, about student cohort groups for the staggered schedule. For information about the A day/B day schedule, please see page 40 of the district’s Reset Plan located at huntsvillecityschools.org/reset. The HCS Special Education Department will provide more information to families who receive special education services.
HCS administrators will continue to collaborate with local health and city leaders to evaluate conditions throughout the return to school process and for remainder of the first nine weeks.
“We thank our stakeholders for their commitment to promoting a safe and healthy environment,” Finley said. “We ask families to speak with their children about the importance of healthy habits to ensure a safe return for our students.”
HCS will continue to follow the district’s Reset Plan available at huntsvillecityschools.org/reset and communicate any updates to families.
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