CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Four Chesapeake schools will see changes to the school day on Sept. 20 thanks to a nearby concert, and four varsity football games have been moved up a day.
Luke Bryan will perform at Heritage Park that Friday and several Chesapeake schools have switched their plans after recently updated information regarding the anticipated community impact.
The country music star and “American Idol” judge will bring his Farm Tour to Heritage Park, 3444 S. Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake. The show begins at 6 p.m. Parking opens at 2 p.m., meaning many vehicles will be traveling local roads near these schools during the dismissal hour.
Chesapeake Public Schools spokesman Chris Vail said the decision was made due to anticipated traffic disruptions.
"Chesapeake Public Schools has not recently faced traffic concerns of this scale before, but we have coordinated with city officials to minimize impact on bus dismissals," Vail said. "The ability to shift to virtual learning for our impacted secondary schools ensures continuity of learning and safety for students. We view this flexibility as a positive solution for challenges that impact school operations."
Hickory Middle School and Hickory High School will have synchronous virtual learning that day. Students will not report for school, and there will be no after-school activities. The school will communicate details and schedules for the virtual learning day to families through email and to students through Canvas.
Hickory Elementary School and Southeastern Elementary School will have an early-release day. Students and staff will be released at 1 p.m., and there will be no after-school activities. However, school breakfast and lunch will still be served, and all fifth-grade students will attend the Oceana Air Show as scheduled. Afternoon bus transportation may be delayed due to the anticipated traffic.
Meanwhile, Chesapeake Public Schools has moved four high school football games -- Deep Creek at Grassfield, King's Fork at Great Bridge, Nansemond River at Oscar Smith, and Western Branch at Hickory -- from Friday night to Thursday night, in anticipation of traffic concerns due to the concert.
