By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update #65 from Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation.
We are excited and ready to welcome students back to full-time, in-person learning with a new start time next Tuesday, Aug. 10. We are looking forward to providing a more traditional school experience after more than a year of educational adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also committed to providing a safe, caring, and respectful learning environment.
With the new COVID-19 variant looming over the country, I can understand there may be questions and concerns from our school community regarding safety. Our safety guidelines and expectations are outlined in our 2021-22 COVID-19 Re-Entry Plan which is posted on our website at hhschuskies.org.
The Hamilton County Health Department is urging residents to follow the ISDH’s recommendation that all Hoosiers over the age of two wear masks in public indoor spaces, including school buildings. The recommendation follows the CDC’s announcement last month. We support this recommendation and strongly recommend masks for students and staff. However, as of this writing, we are leaving the decision on whether to wear face coverings at school up to students, staff, and their families. Please note that masks are required on school buses as per the federal mandate.
While the coming school year will look and feel more like a traditional school year, we know we must remain vigilant and do our part to keep our students and staff healthy and safe. We will continue to monitor any changes in guidance at the local, state, and federal levels and/or if our current approach impacts our ability to provide a successful in-person experience. We are prepared to adjust our plan. We will continue to keep you updated through various forms of communication including these updates which will be bi-weekly this year.
Meanwhile, our newest HHSC Monthly Update, Volume No. 69 is online. Filmed on July 21, it features amazing FFA leadership, an award winning HHHS Athlete, an HHMS Artistic Masterpiece, and videos that will leave you misty-eyed. You can check it out here.
Speaking of FFA, I want to give a shout out to several FFA students and their success at the Hamilton County 4-H Fair and at state level competition for 2021. Jayden Williams, Royal Showmanship winner, and Natalie Newman, Reserve Grand Champion; Supreme Showmanship Grand Champion, Grace Allee. Allie Matthews received The Bret Boram 4-H Award and Allison Shuck won the state Multimedia Scrapbook Contest. Allison was also awarded a Hoosier Degree by the FFA Association, recognizing her success in a Supervised Agriculture Experience program, leadership development, and community service.
The community is invited to attend the eighth annual Prayer Breakfast this Friday, Aug. 6 at the Middle School Café beginning at 7 a.m. A light breakfast will be served between 7 and 7:30 a.m. with music provided by the Cicero Christian Church Worship Team. This year’s speaker is Maurice “Kojak” Fuller, 1993 Indiana Mr. Basketball and Life Coach for Anderson Community Schools. The event is hosted by the Heights Area Pastors in conjunction with HHSC and a great way to kick off, what I expect to be, a phenomenal new school year!
#WeAreHuskies