By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update No. 38 from Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation
Transitioning the high school student body to off-site learning on the first day of December for the second time this year was not how I wanted to start off the month. However, as our county continues to reach new highs in coronavirus cases, we too reached the absenteeism threshold necessitating the shift to off-site learning through Dec. 11.
When we make the decision to close a building and shift to off-site learning, we factor in several variables including what we feel is best for our students in terms of learning. Other considerations include, but are not limited to, safety, monitoring active cases, the ability to contact trace, ability to perform a deep clean, managing quarantined students and staff, awaiting pending test results, and staffing.
We have found that when we reach the 20 percent mark of quarantined students, it is a struggle to provide as robust of a learning experience as our students deserve. Our teachers are on double duty teaching the lesson to those in class and then ensuring that those quarantined are also getting the same information. This has proven to be a challenge when the number of quarantined students surpasses 20 percent. Shifting to our virtual format allows our teachers to just focus on providing one learning opportunity and how they deliver that lesson to all students.
While we are prepared and have all the necessary protocols in place to transition between these two models, we are researching some other options that may give us more flexibility in terms of keeping more of our students in school beginning in January. This is extremely important to us and our families because we know that schools are among the most controlled environments in our society today and remains one of the safest places for anybody to be.
Speaking of schools, I am pleased to share that Volume No. 61 of the HHSC Monthly Update has been posted. It was filmed on Nov. 18 and will introduce you to our newest school board member, enlighten you about our awesome HHMS choir program’s success, brag about our HHES P.E. teachers, show off our cafeteria staff, and give you an opportunity to give back. Click here to check it out!
You may have noticed that this weekly update is numbered. One of our staff members was curious about the number of updates related to COVID-19 communications shared and thought it would be beneficial to number them much like we do for the HHSC Monthly Updates. Since March, I have sent some 65 updates containing COVID-19-related information to district families.
Our monthly video updates were initially designed to share highlights of the many wonderful things involving our students, staff and curriculum taking place throughout our campus. The weekly written updates began in March to stay more connected in what has become a new era of education and living. Finally, as promised and as part of our Re-Entry Plan, updates for when we are notified of positive COVID-19 test confirmations among our students and staff.
We remain committed to open and transparent communication with the frequency that is needed for the times we are in. We will stay the course of connection and collaboration along this journey for as long as it takes.
#WeAreHuskies