Hampshire High To Switch To Remote Learning Amid COVID Spike

HAMPSHIRE, IL —Hampshire High School will be shifting to remote learning for two weeks to combat an increase in COVID-19 cases, school officials announced Friday.

The Kane County Health Department notified the high school about the required "adaptive pause" on Thursday. The switch from in-person to remote learning will begin on Monday and continue through Oct. 22. In-person learning is currently set to resume on Oct. 25.

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"The Kane County Health Department is implementing the Adaptive Pause as a mitigation strategy to reduce the transmission of COVID-19," according to the statement. Since Sept. 28, 37 students have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Friday night football game against Huntley High School, which is set to be held at Hampshire High, is still on, according to school officials. Football players will be allowed to play if they follow health department testing protocols, and marching band and dance will participate as scheduled using COVID mitigation strategies such as physical distancing and masking.

Only immediate family members of students who are on the team or who are participating in marching band or dance will be permitted as spectators. They will be required to wear masks.

From Oct. 9 through Oct. 24, athletes in high-risk sports, including football, volleyball and soccer, will need to test for COVID-19 before each practice and game, and athletes refusing to complete a test will not be able to participate in their respective sports, according to school officials.

Athletes in low-risk sports will only be required to test for COVID-19 if taking a bus to their event. Only immediate family members of athletes will be allowed as spectators at all sporting events and will be required to wear masks.

As for other schedule events, school officials are still sorting through next steps.

"We will be looking at other scheduled events impacted by the adaptive pause, including extra-curricular activities and fine arts events, to determine the safest way to address them, including the possibility of virtual options," according to the statement from Hampshire High School. "Coaches and sponsors will provide updates as those decisions are made."