The Scholars are Home... Now What?
Longhorn Weekly NCG & CHHS Edition
Making the most of school closure
I hope this letter finds YOU well. This past few weeks have been an AMAZING transition into the new norm...E-Learning/FlexLearning! Transitioning from traditional schools to "E-Learning" has been a major undertaking for us all. I wanted to thank you for your support and your patience, as we navigate this together.
This move towards eLearning has forced all of us towards the use of technology.
We wish to express gratitude to our entire community of families, staff, volunteers, and community partners for your patience and support during these uncertain times. Please know that CHHS will remain flexible as we roll out our long-term plan for instructional continuity, and as we navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation. Although our buildings remain closed, we will continue to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of our students and families.
We have sincerely tried to evaluate every possible scenario, but fully realize that there may be something unforeseen that needs more attention. If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to us so that we can address it immediately.
Jason Miller M.Ed
Principal
Cedar Hill HS
Message to the Class of 2020
I want to take a moment to share a message that is written specifically for you. I want to begin by saying I am sorry. I am sorry that your senior year has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I am sorry that the last few weeks of what you have worked toward for 13 years is fleeting before your eyes. I am sorry that you wake up every day wondering if you will get to see your friends in school again, wondering if you will have a spring sports season and/or musical performances, wondering if you will get to celebrate with a Senior Prom, and especially wondering if you will get to experience walking across the stage in front of your family and friends to receive your diploma. Most importantly, I am sorry that I do not have the answers to those questions today.
This all seems so unfair right now, and it is okay to feel that way. But no matter how unjust this may be, I have a firm belief that your class will be the students to help us all get through this. Since you were born, you have been the group to remind our community the true definition of perseverance. You were the first class to be born in a post-9/11 world. You have watched countless, senseless school shootings and come to school the next day. Throughout your lifetime you have lived through the unimaginable, and yet you are the group who has led the way to healing. While it is hard to process what is going on around us and what tomorrow will bring, I believe that through your determination and grit, you will be the generation who creates cures, builds bridges rather than borders, practices random acts of kindness, and has the greatest positive impact on our future. We are closely following all of the information and guidelines being given to us from the government and public health officials.
You are the class with GRIT. You are the Class of 2020!
Jason Miller M.Ed
Principal
Cedar Hill HS
Grab and Go Meals
Even with the shelter in place order, CHISD is still able to distribute grab and go meals to our community. Cedar Hill ISD distributes lunch and dinner and the follow day’s breakfast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; families can pick up meals at:
Plummer Elementary School (Door #5)
High Pointe Elementary School (Door #11)
Bessie Coleman Middle School (Door #15)
Cedar Hill High School (Door #14)
Highlands Elementary School (Door #3)
Technology information
Cedar Hill ISD is now in its third week of offering flex learning opportunities to scholars during the closure. We understand that some families may not have a device available to complete online assignments. Last Friday, CHISD distributed 200 devices to families in need, but we understand that some families may still need devices. If your family needs a device, please complete this survey by this Friday (April 3), and a CHISD staff member will contact you.
SURVEY TO REQUEST DEVICE FROM CHISD: https://forms.gle/VCzvrUby5KsX6itU7
Completing the survey does not guarantee a device. If a district device is provided, families will be required to sign a checkout contract and assume financial responsibility in the event that the device is damaged, destroyed, or lost.
Virtual Office Hours will begin this week!
To allow students the opportunity to connect with their teachers for additional support, each content area will have scheduled virtual office hours through Google Hangout to meet with a number of students. Additionally, teachers will be available via e-mail and respond to students and parents within 24 hours.
Fine Arts & Electives 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ( Monday and Wednesday)
Math 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ( Tuesday and Thursday )
CTE 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ( Tuesday and Thursday )
Science 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ( Monday and Wednesday)
Sos. Studies 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ( Monday and Wednesday)
LOTE - Hours are established ( Refer to email)
Functional Skills- Set up a schedule conducive to the needs of your scholars
Friday- Scheduled appointment only between the hours of 8-10 and 1and 3 at the teacher discretion.
UPDATED REGISTRATION DATES
Due to the Dallas County Shelter-in Place order, we are postponing our scheduled registration dates, please adjust your calendar to the following dates for registration for the 2020-21 school year:
Prekindergarten and Kindergarten scholars: May 4-15, 2020
New to District Scholars in grades 1-12: registration starts May 15, 2020
Current CHISD students: registration starts July 20, 2020
Additional information on the registration process will be shared in the coming days.
FAQ for Class of 2020
What are the plans for Prom?
If needed, events beyond April 3rd will be addressed in the coming weeks.Will Senior Breakfast be rescheduled?
If needed, events beyond April 3rd will be addressed in the coming weeks.Will we have graduation ceremonies?
If needed, events beyond April 3rd will be addressed in the coming weeks.What do I do with local scholarship applications?
For completed paper copies of applications, please attempt to deliver directly or mail directly to the organization to which you have applied. Also check with those organizations for extension on deadlines. If you need help facilitating or contacting the organization, please email your high school counselor.What do I do to keep up with scholarships and deadlines for applications?
Stay up to date in Naviance and communicate with your counselor.What if I’m not done with my community service hours for graduation?
The district is reviewing EIF Local Policy.If I’m a Cedar Valley College student, will we still have graduation at CVC?
At this time, a decision has not been made on commencement.How will online learning affect Class rank and GPA?
The district is reviewing EIC Local Policy.What if I need to request a Transcript?
Request transcripts and all other records by emailing the campus registrar, Catrina Goffney (CHHS) Catrina.Goffney@chisd.net or Jennifer Cantu (Collegiate HS) jennifer.cantu@chisd.netNow that EOC assessments are cancelled what happens next?
For students who are still working to meet assessment graduation requirements as seniors in the 2019– 2020 school year, required performance on academic assessments to graduate under TEC, §28.025(c) and §39.025(a) are being waived for spring 2020. Effectively, this means that current seniors may graduate through the Individual Graduation Committee process regardless of the number of EOC assessments they still need to pass. However, the scholar must have received credit for the class. Your campus will contact you with information in reference to the Individual Graduation Committee meetings.
COVID-19 Self Reporting Document
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe8kI2Z3_YJs3Wmnxl1Sp1V5KYWpziG_07zAQ1WsMkQJvheCg/viewform
Additional Questions or Concerns
If families have questions that the campus can't answer, please email their concerns to webmaster@chisd.net. Someone from communications checks the email daily and will work with the appropriate staff members to get their questions answered.