PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Portsmouth Public Schools administrators have made changes to their academic calendar to help the school community get some additional breaks and flexibility.

In a recent post from PPS, administrators thanked the community for their support amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials say they have re-evaluated the calendar to offer staff, students, and the rest of the community more flexibility amid a number of unique mental health stressors and concerns the pandemic has presented to the community.

Below are the following changes to the PPS school calendar:

• The Wednesday, Nov. 24 asynchronous instructional day will be moved to Monday, Nov. 22
• Thanksgiving break will be extended beginning Tuesday, Nov. 23 through Friday, Nov. 26
• All schools and administrative offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 22 through Friday, Nov. 26 to allow all staff members to telework that Monday
• 5 asynchronous instructional days have been added into the calendar to allow staff and students the opportunity to teach and learn from home.
  • These days will be Jan. 14, Feb. 18, March 18, April 29 and May 27.
  • Schools and administrative offices will be closed on these days to allow all staff members to telework.
• All remaining teacher workdays will be telework days for staff members (Jan. 31 and April 6).
  • Schools and administrative offices will be closed on these days to allow all staff members to telework.