Parents and students: Click on the above link to review the Continuity of Education / Remote Learning Plan that will begin the week of March 30, 2020.
HIGHLANDS BEGINS WEEKLY MEALS PICK UP MARCH 30
Beginning Monday, March 30 and for the remainder of the school closure, Highlands School District will offer Grab & Go Breakfasts and Lunches on Mondays only between 11:00am and 1:00pm. Each student may receive a week's worth of Grab & Go Breakfasts and Lunches. Parents or students may pick up the meals at these locations:
Highlands High School entrance door #23 nearest the student parking lot Highlands Elementary School entrance door #22 nearest the cafeteria The Hayden Center at Sheldon Park
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: The Highlands Partnership Network, in coordination with Highlands School District, is also offering these five additional pickup locations on Mondays from 11:00am – 12:30pm:
First Avenue & Bridge Street at The Greg Blythe Friendship Garden, Tarentum West 6th Ave. Playground, West Tarentum Salvation Army, 917 Brackenridge Ave., Brackenridge Natrona Community Park, River Road, Natrona Village Green Apartments, 240 Village Green Drive, Natrona Heights
Employees and volunteers are practicing suggested guidelines during distribution, including maintaining safe distance, sanitizing tables and changing gloves. Parents or students who are exhibiting signs of illness are recommended to stay home.
Those in need of food or other services in the local area can message the Highlands Partnership Network on its Facebook page or call 2-1-1 for assistance and resources. Families in Fawn Township that would like to have lunches delivered should message the @HighlandsPartnershipNetwork Facebook page for delivery.
A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. MAWHINNEY
March 25, 2020
LIMITED SUPPLY OF FREE DESKTOP COMPUTERS AVAILABLE
March 24, 2020
In communication with the Allegheny County Health Department, and following the orders of Governor Wolf, through a grant from The Fisher Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Education Partnership and Computer Reach are collaborating to give families in need a free desktop computer.
Since many students will be completing their schooling online for the foreseeable future, and not every student may have access to a computer at home, these desktop computers are for families that may not have one so that students can continue to be successful in their education. In order to receive a computer, an adult family member must fill out the Google Form in order to receive the computer (IDs will be required at desktop takeout location at Computer Reach located at 1 DRV Drive, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221).
Supplies are limited and at this moment the first 200 families that respond will be guaranteed a desktop computer. Following requests will be fulfilled as soon as feasible.
SCHOOLS CLOSED THROUGH APRIL 13
An Update from Dr. Monique Mawhinney, Superintendent
March 23, 2020
Highlands Families,
I hope this message finds all of you safe and healthy during this difficult time. I wanted to take a moment to provide you with an update on the school closure extension that was issued earlier today by Governor Wolf for all K-12 schools in the Commonwealth. The closure was extended for two weeks through April 9. Given this declaration, and the fact that it would resume classes during our originally scheduled spring break, we will make the following changes to our district schedule: All district buildings, facilities and fields will remain closed through Monday, April 13. Our Spring Break will remain as previously scheduled for Thursday, April 9 through Monday, April 13. Classes for all Highlands students will resume on-site on Tuesday, April 14 unless another school closure extension is issued.
Due to the extension of the school closure, Highlands will transition to online learning options for students beginning Monday, March 30. The district is in the process of finalizing its continuity of education plan for students in grades K-12. Additional information with specific guidance for students will be shared with families later this week. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to complete the online technology survey so that we can continue to prepare online instruction for our students.
The safety and welfare of our students and community remains our number one priority. We recognize the many challenges our families are facing, and we are here to support you through this difficult time. We appreciate your continued cooperation and understanding as we navigate through this situation and make every effort to provide your children with meaningful instruction during the school closure.
I know that if we continue to work together and stay strong, we can get through this tragic event. Please be there for one another and stay healthy and safe. Thank you.
Dr. Monique Mawhinney, Superintendent
HOME INTERNET SERVICE: If you or any family you know does not have access to internet at their home, Internet Essentials from Comcast is offering new customers two free months of internet service.Click here for more information about this program.
STATE ASSESSMENTS: On March 19, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that it is canceling all state assessments PSSA testing and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year as a result of COVID-19. This includes the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA).
STUDENT LUNCHES: Highlands School District will continue to provide grab and go lunches for our students during the school closure. There are three locations available for daily pick up on weekdays between 11:00am and 1:00pm: 1. Highlands High School entrance door #23 nearest the student parking lot; 2. Highlands Elementary School entrance door #22 nearest the cafeteria; or 3. The Hayden Center at Sheldon Park.
BUILDINGS CLOSED: Due to the school closure, all Highlands school buildings are closed to the public, with the exception of the grab and go lunch distribution from 11am-1pm at HHS & HES. The Administrative Center Office has limited hours during the school closure. Please call 724-226-2400 in advance prior to visiting the office for any reason. Email is the preferred communication method at this time. Please refer to the Administrative Directory or Staff Directory for a list of contacts.
STUDENT WORK DURING CLOSURE: Please note, completion of school-issued work is optional for students in order to provide them with some instructional activities to work on while at home. Please access these online resources for parents and students. Again, this is an opportunity to have your children stay academically active during this time.
GOLD CARD LUNCHEON: Due to the school closure, this year’s Gold Card Club Easter Luncheon on March 27, 2020 is canceled. Unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule this event. Please continue to visit the district website for ongoing information related to this situation.
For more information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Highlands School District plans and updates and resources, please click here.
MEETING RESCHEDULED: The Highlands School District Board of School Directors will conduct board vacancy interviews and the vacancy will be filled at a Special Voting Meeting that has been RESCHEDULED to Tuesday,April 7, 2020 at 6:00pm from its original scheduled date, March 30, 2020. The public meeting will be held at Highlands High School Library.
March 23, 2020: Seniors and parents - Due to the uncertainty of operations at Jostens during this time, is imperative that any senior still needing to place their graduation cap & gown order must do so now. Please go to www.jostens.com or call 800-567-8367 (800-JOSTENS) to place the cap & gown unit needed for graduation.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS –The District is requesting proposals for legal services and district solicitor. Interested parties must contact the Superintendent’s Office by email at mbloch@goldenrams.com for RFP documents. Questions regarding the RFP may be directed to Dr. Mawhinney by email at mmawhinney@goldenrams.com by March 27, 2020. SEALED proposals will be received no later than March 31, 2020 at 2:00 pm. The District reserves the right to refuse any and all proposals or parts thereof, or items therein, and to waive any technicalities or informalities in the RFP process. No proposal or part, or parts thereof, or items therein, shall be withdrawn for a period of 90 days subsequent to the opening of proposals without the consent of the District, except as permitted by law.
SAVE THE DATE! The 2020 Jr/Sr Prom will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the Shriner's Syria Mosque. Times, ticket costs and related details are yet to be determined.
PROPERTY FOR SALE: Highlands School District is offering the former school known as Fawn Elementary and more recently known as the Highlands Support Center for sale. The property is located at 5591 Ridge Road in Natrona Heights. The property consists of 14.92 acres improved with a 30,000 square feet former school building. Please contact Lori Byron for more information at lbyron@goldenrams.com or 724-226-2400, ext. 4524.
