By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
I feel confident that everyone knows how I feel about orange. I love orange, but not when our county is elevated to orange with metrics indicating a higher risk of transmission of the coronavirus.
The related impact at Hamilton Heights is not a surprise. It’s also not a surprise to see how our student body and staff continue to rise to the occasion with creativity, determination and grace.
On Wednesday, we welcomed back a group of middle school students and staff who had been in quarantine either due to having contracted COVID-19 or identified as being a close contact to someone who tested positive.
On Monday, Nov. 16, the high school reopens with in-person learning and extra-curricular activities. We will continue to move forward with our goal to keep our buildings open and kids in class. We will also continue to take all necessary and recommended steps to protect the health of our students, school personnel, and the greater Heights community. We appreciate our families working closely with us on this effort.
For those times that we must shift a class or a building to e-learning, we have a process to do so and do so effectively. Before this is all said and done, we may have to pivot from in-person to e-learning several times throughout the school year. We are prepared. We encourage our families to be prepared as well. Preparation and working together will be key in meeting our education and learning objectives for our students.
It is my pleasure to welcome Gretchen Pennington to the Hamilton Heights School Board representing White River Township. Board member Laura Reuter, whose seat Gretchen is filling, has 12 years of dedicated service. Laura will be greatly missed and we thank her for her contributions to Hamilton Heights. Gretchen’s passion for all things Hamilton Heights, her knowledge of our system and values, her thorough participation as a parent, and her professional background as a deputy prosecutor, make her ideally suited to help Heights to be an even better place for students to learn and achieve.
Our board president, Dr. Kevin Cavanagh, was re-elected to the Jackson Township seat. His continued leadership and involvement is a win for students and Hamilton Heights.
As a note of community interest, Hope Family Care Center in Cicero will be offering free flu shots on the dates below for anyone aged 6 months to 65 years. To RSVP, call (317) 984-3444.
- Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 4 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 19 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
On behalf of Hamilton Heights School Corporation, we salute the brave men and women of America who have sacrificed, fought, and – in some cases – gave their lives to defend our great nation. May we never forget your service and always remember the dedication and sacrifice of our veteran families. Please take a moment, not just on Veterans Day, but any day there is opportunity to thank and honor those who have served our country.
#WeAreHuskies