District Begins 4-Day In-Person Learning Model on March 29
At its Regular Voting Meeting on March 15, the Highlands School Board voted to approve the return to in-person learning 4 days a week beginning on March 29, 2021.
Recommended to the Board by the Highlands School District Task Force, students will return to in-person learning Monday through Thursday. Friday remains a remote learning day for all students. Students and staff will still need to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Note: Due to the increased number of students in classrooms, on buses and in cafeterias and common areas, it will likely not be possible for students to maintain 6-feet apart for the majority of the day.
Elementary School Parents: You will receive a confirmation letter via US mail and email that confirms the selection that you chose on the parent survey for your child’s instructional model and transportation needs for the remainder of the school year. If you wish to change your selection (options listed below) or if there is a mistake, please contact building secretary Marnie Kosmal at 724-224-0300 or mkosmal@goldenrams.com by the end of the school day on Monday, March 22. Please note that requests to change instructional models or transportation arrangements will not be honored after this day due to scheduling purposes specific to social distancing requirements. Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we work to return our students to more in-person learning!
For reference, here are the learning model options that were offered on the survey.
4 DAYS IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION--four days of in-person learning Monday through Thursday, 1 day of remote learning on Fridays. Students and staff will be required to follow guidelines by wearing masks, social distancing and practicing good hygiene during in-person instruction. Due to the increased number of students in classrooms, on buses and in cafeterias and common areas, it will likely not be possible for students to maintain 6 feet apart for the majority of the day. Remote instruction on Fridays will involve both synchronous (students joining via technology to the live instruction and interacting with peers and teachers) and asynchronous activities (students working on their own to complete assignments).
FULL REMOTE LEARNING--five days of remote learning using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Students will join their classes via Google Classroom and Zoom. NOTE: THIS OPTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE HYBRID MODEL AND DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING THEIR CHILD(REN) RETURN TO FOUR DAYS IN PERSON WITH LARGER NUMBERS.
HIGHLANDS VIRTUAL ACADEMY--full remote learning, 5 days a week, using the Edgenuity or Accelerate platforms. NOTE: STUDENTS WHO ARE ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN THE HVA PROGRAM WOULD REMAIN IN THIS PROGRAM IF THEY DECLINE THE 4 DAYS IN PERSON INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL.