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Bob Hope School finalizing contingency plan, possible calendar changes for fall

Dr. Lopez says they're also considering a year-round schedule to prepare for any closures.

BEAUMONT, Texas — More than 2,500 students may have entirely new experience this fall. 

The plan at Bob Hope School is a worst case scenario, but administrators say it's important to be ready. 

COVID-19 has already dealt a blow to the end of the school year. 

Superintendent Bobby Lopez said they're already thinking about ways to prepare for the 2020-2021 academic year. 

"We have to make sure that we are planning for the next step," Lopez said. "This pandemic really turned everything upside down and as we move forward, we need to be ready."

Bob Hope School is almost finished with a contingency plan for the upcoming school year. 

The biggest difference everyone will notice is changes to class sizes. 

"This would allow us to do the social distancing. It would allow ten students per class. And the teachers would rotate, so the students would stay in one class," Lopez said. 

The schedule would also change. One group of students will have class for four hours in the morning, leave, and then be followed by the other group in the afternoon. 

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There are notable details with this plan that will affect all four campuses. 

When boys and girls arrive, they will have their temperatures checked prior to entering the campus each day. 

PPE will be available for everyone, and all activities during the day will be held inside the classroom. 

Dr. Lopez said they're also considering a year-round schedule to prepare for any closures. 

"If it hits again, say in the fall, then we have that opportunity to close and then reopen," Lopez said. 

Again, Lopez said this plan is worst-case scenario if things don't change. 

If they do, it'll be back to business as usual. 

"It's a very different program, but that is if everything continues. If not, we're ready to open up with our full students," Lopez said. 

While administrators have an eye for next year, the class of 2020 still plans to be recognized.

A drive-by graduation is scheduled for May 22 to recognize the seniors. July 24 is when an outdoor ceremony plans to be held. 

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