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Lowndes County Public Schools are ready to welcome their students back through virtual instruction for the first nine weeks.

“This will be a challenging school year as we continue to deal with COVID-19,” LCPS wrote. “However, I know that it will be a great one with the schools and families working together to provide the best education possible.”

Students will return to school through virtual learning on Aug. 26 and the county has implemented several plans to ensure every student’s needs are being met.

All Lowndes County Public School students are eligible for free internet access for virtual learning until December through the Alabama Broadband Connectivity for Students Program.

The government is funding the service for students in need, and those who sign up can have an internet service provider install the equipment at no additional cost.

Chromebooks will be given to students that don’t have access to laptops or computers. There will be WiFi hotspots for students who do not have internet access at home. The hotspots will be available from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and are located at:

Fort Deposit Housing Authority, Fort Deposit Complex, Mosses Town Hall, Mosses Housing Authority, Snow Hill Christian Church, White Hall Town Hall, Gordonville Town Hall, STEP in Hayneville, Mount Olive Baptist Church, Burkeville, Saint Paul CME Church in Hicks Hill, Owens Drive in Hope Hull, Kennedy Drive in White Hall, Waller Road in Braggs, Little Sandy Ridge Presbyterian Church, John Hulett Apartments in Hayneville, Collirene Boys and Girls, Intersection of CR26 and CR37, Ramah Church Road, Searight Place Road, Mt Gilliam Church, Lillie Baptist Church, Dutch Bend Village, Mount Willing Church of Christ, Lowndesboro Post Office, Hicks Hill Community Center, Nelson Store and First Years DayCare.

The county will also be providing breakfast and lunch meals for pickup. Meals are available for pickup from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and can be picked up at:

The Calhoun School, Central Elementary School, Fort Deposit Elementary School, Hayneville Middle School, Lowndes County Middle School and Jackson-Steele Elementary School.

Meals will also be taken to hotspot locations between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and distributed among students who are at the sites.