By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update #42 from Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation
With the Midwest winter blowing in, now seems the appropriate time to share a reminder about weather-related delays and cancellations. As we know well, Indiana weather can be unpredictable and change quickly. Making the decision to have a weather-related school delay or cancellation is rarely an easy one and is often made in tandem with our local, county and state partners. Ice, snow, fog, a power outage and other things all play a role in the decision. However, the primary factor in our decision to delay or cancel school is based foremost on student and staff safety.
Decisions to delay or close school are made as early as possible and usually before 6 a.m. If the decision to close is made, we will shift to our e-learning format. In preparation for possible delays and closures in the months ahead, stay weather-aware and up to date at the corporation’s social media sites: Twitter (@hhschuskies), Facebook, website, and/or the local media outlets.
Presently, we are slated to begin the New Year on a hybrid model of instruction at the middle and high schools through March 12. We will continue to monitor current conditions of COVID-19 cases in the community. If it is prudent to adjust our January return schedule, we will send notification. We appreciate your grace and understanding as we continue to navigate through these challenging times together.
Our instructional format and keeping our buildings open are interdependent upon the actions and behaviors of all. As such, please be mindful of public health guidance related to community-related exposure to COVID-19 to help mitigate the spread of the virus and to prevent future suspension of in-person experiences.
We remain committed to and guided by hopeful, flexible and responsible decision-making as we look forward to starting off the New Year strong. Since school is not in session for the remainder of the winter break, we will take a brief respite from our COVID-19 notifications. However, we continue to encourage families who have members test positive for COVID-19 to share with the corporation throughout the break. My next weekly update will be Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
No matter the location or the instructional format, we will continue to do everything possible to support learning for all students throughout the spring semester beginning on Jan. 4, 2021.
#WeAreHuskies