By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update No. 39 from Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation
The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze. Every year members of our community find untold ways to contribute to our schools through the year and even more during the holiday season. Throughout this pandemic, with higher unemployment, uncertainty, and greater need, the compassion has been even greater.
One program that stands out during the holidays is our annual Angel Tree program. Every tag on every tree in every building is claimed. We are able to support 93 families and 227 children this Christmas thanks in part to members of our community who stepped in to help make Christmas a little brighter for those families and children struggling to adjust to the changes and impact brought about by the health pandemic. Special thanks to our Angel Tree building coordinators Trina Fennell (HHES), Alicia Robinson (HHMS), and Whitney Gray (HHHS) for your tireless efforts on such a special program in this season of giving.
We are also grateful for the community’s ongoing contributions to our student-run food pantry. Under the leadership of Susan McCoskey (HHHS) and the Service With A Goal (SWAG) club, the pantry provides a source of food staples and other necessities to help students and their families during times of need. As a reminder, our food pantry will be open Monday, Dec. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. Arrive at Entrance A of the high school and kindly remain in your vehicle. Food will be brought to you. Please bring your driver’s license or picture ID.
Among other heroes hard at work behind the scenes are our custodians. They are tasked with keeping COVID-19 from spreading in our buildings – and being first responders if the virus does get in. On the most recent episode of the Hamilton County Health Department’s On the Frontlines series, Tammy Rednour, HHMS head custodian, shares how our custodial staff are managing the challenges created by the pandemic and keeping our buildings and classrooms safe and sanitary. Click here to watch the interview.
On the topic of COVID-19, as you may have heard or read, the Centers for Disease Control recently announced that in addition to their 14-day COVID-19 quarantine guidance, they have now added an option to allow for a shorter (seven- to 10-day) quarantine period. It is important to note, however, that this shorter option comes with additional requirements and an accepted greater risk for COVID-19 spread. Read the new guidelines here.
The Indiana State Department of Health and the Hamilton County Health Department continue to recommend the 14-day quarantine period. We, therefore, plan to continue to follow the 14-day guidance as outlined in our Re-Entry Plan. We believe this is the safest option for our students and staff at this time. With our county at level Orange and positive cases on the rise, we do not believe now is the time to reduce protections we have in place. We will continue to work closely with our local and state health partners to monitor ongoing conditions and consider possible changes to our COVID-19 procedures in the future.
#WeAreHuskies