Heritage Weekly Update-October 15
The news you need from the Home of the PRIDE!
October 15, 2021
Traduccion en Espanol
-Cuando llegue aqui haga clic en la flecha que apunta hacia abajo y escoja el idioma "Spanish"
Principal's Message
I hope this Update finds you and those you care about safe and healthy.
Happy SPIRIT Week! It has been wonderful to celebrate Spirit Week at Heritage this week! The normal fun and excitement has been intensified with the addition of being back in-person and things feeling more typical! All of the information about the Week, including Dress Up days, events, and forms can be found on our SCA's Homecoming site.
Guidance for the Dance
We have been keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for the Dance on Saturday, and it looks like any inclement weather should be through the area in time for us to have the dance outside, as planned. If your student is attending the dance, I recommend keeping the following things in mind:
- As the sun goes down, the temperature will drop. It also may be breezy.
- Students are encouraged to wear comfortable footwear to stay warm and to protect our athletic surfaces! (When the Dance is inside, students sometimes wear footwear that they then remove upon arrival for comfort. I would not encourage this for an outside dance)
- Students should try to have your paper ticket in hand, and if that ticket does not have a photo on it, they should also bring a picture ID.
- Students who have lost or did not pick up their picture ticket will go to a special line to be processed upon arrival.
- No tickets will be sold at the door.
- The Dance is scheduled to end at 10:00 PM. If your child does not drive, please be sure their ride is around to pick them up.
- If the plans change because of weather, we will notify you prior to the start of the dance and post on our social media outlets.
From the PTSO
The Homecoming dance is Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 7 pm to 10 pm. We are in need of chaperones, parents to help with coat check and to serve refreshments. We need YOUR help in order to make this a successful event. Any amount of time or any donation is very MUCH APPRECIATED. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44acad2fa4fb6-homecoming5
Whole School Lunch
We will include Whole School Lunch in our schedule every Wednesday moving forward, and, if all goes well, we will expand to having Whole School Lunch on Thursdays, as well.
Calendar Changes
Dr. Ziegler sent an update this week about Wednesday, November 3rd and Friday, November 5th. Those two days have been designated as "Asynchronous Days, " which means students will stay home and work on assignments from there. Teachers will communicate at-home assignments to their students. Here is an outline of that week:
- November 1st-2nd-Student Holidays (11/2-Staff Holiday, as well)
- November 3rd-Asynchronous Day (teachers will communicate at-home assignments)
- November 4th-Student and Staff Holiday (School closed)
- November 5th-Asynchronous Day (teachers will communicate at-home assignments)
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I appreciate your continued trust and support.
ROAR PRIDE!
Jeff Adam
Principal
Heritage High School
#wearethepride
#hhspridestrong
Important Dates
October 12th-October 16th-Homecoming Spirit Week
October 16th-Homecoming Dance, 7 PM-10 PM
October 19th-Spirit Night at Solo Pizza, 4 PM-9 PM
October 28th-End of First Quarter
October 29th-Student Holiday (Countywide Staff Development Day)
November 1st-2nd-Student Holidays (11/2-Staff Holiday, as well)
November 3rd-Asynchronous Day (teachers will communicate at-home assignments)
November 4th-Student and Staff Holiday (School closed)
November 5th-Asynchronous Day (teachers will communicate at-home assignments)
-Deadline for Registering for AP Tests (see below)
Early Dismissals
We need your assistance by decreasing the number of visitors coming into the building.
If you know that your student needs to leave school early, please send them in with a note, send an email to HTHAbsentee@lcps.org, or use the Report Attendance feature in ParentVue. You can find detailed procedure instructions on the Heritage High School website by clicking here. Please also note that in-person early dismissal requests cannot be processed after 3:45 p.m.
Food Deliveries
Please do not have food delivered to Heritage High School for your student. Our staff does not have the time to track students down to get the food, and food often sits overlong in the Main Office for pick-up. If there is a unique situation, please contact the Main Office to discuss how we can be of assistance. Likewise, students are prohibited from ordering food for delivery during school hours.
"The Family Room" Workshops
The Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Office is pleased to invite and welcome you to our first "The Family Room" virtual workshop for the 2021-2022 school year.
Please join us and log in on Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 at 6 pm as we discuss "Teaming Up! How Families and Schools Can Partner for Student Success.” We are looking forward to sharing our commitment to fostering a collaborative culture of family engagement, preparing for parent-teacher conferences, understanding student schedules, and implementing strong homework strategies at home. We hope you'll join us as we "Team Up" for student success!
Please join via virtual link located in The Family Room Flyer.
La Division de Aprendizaje de Ingles, Officina de Participación de la Familia y la
Theatre Boosters Membership
Class of 2022 Yearbook Baby Ads
Class of 2022 Senior Families, Baby Ads for the yearbook are available now until 3/1. They can be created and purchased at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Yearbooks are on sale at the same website for $67. The price rises on 12/1.
To Families of our AP Students
COVID19 Vaccination Documentation
If your child has been vaccinated against Covid19, feel free to send any documentation of that vaccination to our school nurse, Casey Elmore, or drop it by the main office. Much like the information on physicals, it is secure and not accessible by anyone other than those who require access (School Nurses and Administration). Once we have a verified proof of vaccination on file, it will expedite any contract tracing processes that may come due to positive cases identified in school or during participation in extracurricular activities. Please know that when contact tracing is required, you will be asked about vaccination status. Per LCPS Guidance, those that are deemed close contacts that are not able to provide proof of vaccination would be required to quarantine for the period required (typically 14 days) and would not be able to attend school or school-based events indoors or outdoors. If you have any questions, please refer to the LCPS Fall 2021 FAQ Document or reach out to our school nurse, Casey Elmore, by email at casey.elmore@lcps.org.
PTSO 2021-2022 Membership Registration Form
$25/Family $10/Staff
This has been a strange couple of years. We all understand that. But PTSO still exists and wants to be here for students, parents and staff.
We do this is by awarding a senior scholarship each spring, as well as assisting our Pride community in a variety of other ways.
We award teacher grants and show our teachers and staff they’re appreciated.
Please consider joining the PTSO to help us support our students and staff however we’re able.
Thank you!
Heritage Athletics Update
Competitions
Friday, October 15
7:00 PM Home Varsity Football vs. Dominion HS-Homecoming Game
Saturday, October 16
9:00 AM Cross Country @ Millbrook HS
Tuesday, October 19
5:00 PM Cheer at Varsity District Tournament @ Park View HS
5:45 PM/5:45 PM/7:00 PM Away Volleyball @ Dominion HS
6:45 PM Field Hockey v. Loudoun County HS @ Tuscarora HS
Wednesday, October 20
3:00 PM Cross Country Vs. Tuscarora @ Morven Park
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Totaro, Heritage Athletic Director, or Mr. Siano, Heritage Assistant Athletic Director.
From the Heritage High School Athletic Boosters:
Support our Athletes and Join Heritage Athletic Booster Club. The Heritage HS Athletic Booster Club recently raised money for:
- New Team Uniforms
- Updates in the Weightroom
- Video Boards in both the main and auxiliary gyms
Memberships start at $30. We are also offering Coaches, Staff and Alumni memberships for $10/year.
Just use this link to sign up!
THANK YOU for supporting Heritage HS Athletics!
Reminder of Vaccination requirement for HS Athletes
Update from LCPS (sent 10/14):
The following was sent by LCPS on Thursday, October 14th:
"LCPS will delay implementation of non-vaccinated student-athlete testing requirements until Monday, November 29. This means testing for non-vaccinated student-athletes will need to start on 11/29 to remain eligible to participate in high school athletics the week of 12/6. The originally announced date for winter athletes’ COVID screening testing will be moved due to delays in state-offered testing solutions. LCPS is focused on providing ample screening tests for non-vaccinated student-athletes and while we await confirmation of vendor testing programs availability at scale, will delay rolling out the testing program until November 29.
Parents/Guardians should still provide their winter student-athlete’s vaccination status to the athletics department in their school as soon as possible. This will help with contact tracing once the season starts and help further inform the needs for the testing program."
A Reminder of the original message from LCPS:
Dear Parents/Guardians of LCPS Student-Athletes,
As has been announced, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing for those unvaccinated for all students participating in all winter and spring sports and for all out-of-season practices for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year.
To submit proof of vaccination, parents/guardians will follow the same easy process for submitting the VHSL Physical Form. Simply submit a copy of the student’s vaccination card to the athletics department for verification, just like you submit their physical form. For more information, please visit our FAQ’s.
Winter sports participants must be fully vaccinated by November 8, 2021. Fully vaccinated is defined as 14 days after receiving the 2nd dose of the vaccine. First day of winter tryouts is November 8, 2021. Your first shot must be done by October 4, 2021, if you plan to participate in a winter sport and in order to avoid weekly testing until the student is fully vaccinated.
As of September 13, 2021, a total of 82.4% of all Loudoun County 16-17 year-olds were fully vaccinated and 89.5% have had one dose of a vaccine. A total of 69% of all Loudoun County 12-15 year-olds are currently fully vaccinated and 78.8% have had one dose as of September 13, 2021.
LCPS is committed to providing the safest learning environment possible for our students and this vaccination requirement for our student-athletes demonstrates our commitment to the safety of everyone within our schools and communities.
Activity Buses
Heritage has begun to offer Activity Buses on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 PM. This bus will allow students to stay after for activities and will drop students at various places throughout the Heritage Attendance Zone. You can find a list of the Activity Bus stops on our webpage or by following this link.
Language Credit Through Testing
LCPS will be giving the FREE Credit Through Testing Exam again in November. Students can begin enrolling using LARS in LCPS Go starting late next week. This is an awesome opportunity for students to earn up to two credits in a language AND qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy at graduation. More information can be found here.
Mental Health Resources for Students
The Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) Mental Health Resources website offers comprehensive mental health services, support and resources provided by our Unified Mental Health Teams (counselors, psychologists, social workers, school nurses, and student assistance specialists) who can assist and direct families to the right level of services or interventions.
Available information includes:
How to contact your school’s United Mental Health Team
Resources for parents
Suicide prevention resources
LCPS mental and behavioral health services
Resources for families of LGBTQ+ students and families
Community resources
To access the mental health website created by the Department of Student Services, please visit: www.lcps.org/MentalHealthServices
School Pictures
To order pictures for Grades 9-12, just go to www.vosphoto.com, click order portraits and use your students' ID number as the access code or choose "Seniors" under "Order Portraits."
Arrival/Dismissal
As you know, I have sent multiple communications regarding the changes in our arrival and dismissal procedures. We have settled on the new winding path through the parking lot for both (picture below). When driving on campus, please keep in mind the following:
- Follow directions of school staff that are present in the parking lot.
- Remind your student to wait at the front of the school for you to pick them up.
- Keep your speed slow and watch for pedestrians.
- Be kind to other drivers, student and adult.
- Pull up to the front of the pick-up/drop-off zone and within the white striped area.
- Do not cut through parking spaces and rows.
- Do not encourage your student to come to you in the middle of the parking lot or at another location.
- Do not move cones or signs.
- Do not block cross intersections in parking lot
- Do not switch drivers/passengers while in the pick-up line.
- Do not use your cellular phone while in the Parking Lot.
- Do not cut through parking spaces.
Class of 2022 Information (New Senior Portraits Opportunity)
We will have another Senior Portrait Make-up Date on October 4th and 5th. A link for signing up will be sent out soon.
Construction Update
May 26th
May 28th
May 30th (looking down our future Counseling Hallway)
June 2nd (Future Reception Area; same angle as 'Before' picture)
June 4th
June 6th
August 14 (new Main Office reception, same location as "Before" picture)
August 14 (our new Library is starting to take shape)
August 20 (getting moved in and unpacked)
August 20 (settling into our new spaces)
August 20 (The Media Center is coming along)
September 24-New Career Center
September 24-Getting Books in Place
October 1-Coming Soon!
Facebook and Instagram
Heritage has an official Facebook page (https://business.facebook.com/Heritage-High-School-VA-108558541340022/) and a new connected "official" Instagram account (HeritageLCPS). The PTSO is still running their "Heritage Parents" page, but we will use these new Heritage accounts to spread the word about the awesome things going on at Heritage.
Bell Schedule
The new Bell Schedule has been posted to the website. You can find it here.
Doors open at 8:30
Unless they are involved in an activity, students will not be allowed to enter the building until 8:30 AM, as we cannot provide adequate supervision until that time.
Masks/Face Coverings Information
Masks/Face Covering Update
On Thursday, August 12th, Dr. Ziegler issued an updated statement on masks. You can find the message here. A more detailed description of the approach LCPS and Heritage are taking to masks and health mitigation can be found here. I have repeated some of the information here, as we will be following the guidelines set forth by LCPS.
When will face coverings be required?
Face coverings must be worn at all times, indoors, with the exception of during the following activities:
- Eating or drinking
- During recess, PE or other outdoor recreational/extra-curricular activities
- For team practices and games indoors, participants will wear masks while on the sidelines, but may remove them during play
- When receiving medical attention
More information on masks in facilities
Face coverings are required in all LCPS facilities when shared in areas of the buildings, including but not limited to break rooms, kitchens, restrooms, hallways, stairwells, lobbies and meeting rooms. They are also required while in personal work spaces, except when in a room, office, or cubicle with walls 7’ or higher, with the door closed
Masks in Physical Education Classes
Masks will be required for students who are waiting in line or participating in direct physical education instruction (i.e. Health/Drivers' Education), but they will not be required when students are participating in physical education activity. Physical Education teachers will prioritize activities that allow for physical distancing when PE is held indoors.
Other Health Mitigation Efforts
Cafeteria
Students are permitted to remove masks for eating and drinking in our cafeterias. They will, however, be expected to wear masks while entering and exiting the cafeteria, waiting in lines or socializing. At Heritage, we are going to expand our eating areas into the Courtyards and half of the Auxiliary Gym which will allow for at least 3 ft. distance between students during their lunch time. We will be limiting the number of students who can sit at a table to provide the spacing in line with LCPS and Virginia Department of Health guidance.
Arrival/Dismissal
Arrival will be naturally staggered because of bus, driver, and car rider arrivals. Staff will be at the Main Entrance monitoring student entrance, reminding students about distancing and masking. Just as last year, thermal cameras will monitor temperatures as students arrive, and students with elevated temperatures will be addressed per LCPS protocols. At dismissal, students will be allowed to leave school from the exit door nearest their last block class. allowing for less congestion in the hallways.
Limiting students in bathrooms
We will continue to utilize eHall Pass to limit the numbers of students in a restroom at once.
Behind the Wheel
Need "Behind the Wheel"? If interested, contact Mr. Soroush by email: ebi.soroush@lcps.org.
Heritage Mission Statement: The Heritage Community works together to foster continuous personal and academic growth of the whole student in a caring and engaging environment
Heritage Vision: Heritage High School readies all students for future success. Graduates are respectful of others, invested in their communities, and prepared for a changing world.