Heritage High Weekly Update-Nov 20
The news you need from the Home of the PRIDE!
November 20, 2020
Traduccion en Espanol
-Cuando llegue aqui haga clic en la flecha que apunta hacia abajo y escoja el idioma "Spanish"
The Latest
Since this is National Education Week, I want to start this week's update by recognizing our teachers and staff who have been pushed to the limits in a lot of ways this year but have managed to continue to adjust for the good of our students and trying to keep them engaged. It is my honor to work with such good people, and they deserve lots of recognition for what they have done.
There is not a lot to update this week, as we await the final numbers from families' selections for the second semester. If you have not done so, please be sure to select an instructional mode for your child second semester before 8 PM TONIGHT(Friday, 11/20)!
Please note the schedule for next week:
- Monday, 11/23: Asynchronous Day
- Tuesday, 11/24: A Day (regular synchronous instruction day)
- Wednesday, 11/25-Friday, 11/27: Thanksgiving Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
A question that has been asked by several people before and since the Town Hall session on Monday has been about what metrics LCPS has been using to determine whether to return to 100% Distance Learning for all students. What follows was published in an email from LCPS on Wednesday.
Metrics from Loudoun County School Board
- The Loudoun County School Board voted to establish metrics that Loudoun County Public Schools will use to monitor community conditions and determine whether the spread of the coronavirus reaches levels that require returning to 100% distance learning for all students or limiting the expansion of implementation of the hybrid model.
- If the CDC core indicators relating to the Loudoun County case incidence rate* and the Loudoun County percent positivity rate** are each at the highest risk levels, then LCPS would return to 100% distance learning for all students and would not expand implementation of the hybrid model.
*= New cases per 100,000 persons within the last 14 days reaches > 200
**= Percentage of RT-PCR tests that are positive during the last 14 days reaches >10%
- Nothing in this motion precludes the superintendent from implementing 100% distance learning as is appropriate, i.e. should COVID-19 transmission occur within particular classes, a school or schools.
The LCPS COVID-19 Case Data webpage is updated daily with information regarding isolations, quarantines, and the CDC Core Indicator data referenced in the School Board decision.
As we enter into a very different Thanksgiving Week, I am always reminded of how appreciative I am of the this community of staff, teachers, students, and families. I continue to have the privilege of being the Principal of Heritage High School, and I thank you for your trust and for your continued partnership in your child's learning!
ROAR PRIDE!
Jeff Adam
Principal
Heritage High School
#wearethepride
Important Dates
11/20-deadline for response for Second Semester Instructional Choice (Closes @ 8 PM; instructions below)
11/25-11/27: Thanksgiving Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
12/7-Winter Sports Tryouts beginPSAT for Heritage High School 10th grade Students
LCPS is pleased to announce that 10th grade students will have an opportunity to participate in the PSAT NMSQT test administration on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. LCPS is aware that families of high school students are concerned about access to college admissions testing and has been working collaboratively with the College Board and our high schools to provide assessment opportunities.
The test will be administered with appropriate physical distancing and other mitigation measures in place. Students must wear a face covering (cloth or disposable) at all times, complete a COVID-19 symptom check questionnaire on the day of the test (prior to entry), and have their temperature taken upon arrival to the testing site.
Students must register to test no later than Wednesday, December 2 to participate in this PSAT NMSQT test administration. Late registrations and walk-ins will not be accepted. There are no makeup test opportunities. There is no cost to take this test and transportation is available if requested within the registration portal.
Students, using their LCPS log in credentials, should use the following link to register for test participation, beginning Wednesday, November 18: https://webinter.lcps.org/psatregistration
Registrants will receive a confirmation email sent to their LCPS email address and detailed information regarding the test administration from Brenda Gottlieb, Heritage School Testing Coordinator by mid-January.
Questions may be addressed to Heritage School Testing Coordinator Brenda.Gottlieb@lcps.org
Family survey for Second Semester Choices
Below is a set of instructions for parents/guardians of all students to complete a survey between November 11 and November 20 to register their choices for the type of instruction for their students in the second semester, which begins January 21. All parents/guardians should make a new selection for the second semester, even if your preference has not changed.
Families must choose one of these options:
- A hybrid model of learning for students, which means a child will attend school in person for 2 days each week and will engage in distance learning the other 3 days of the week.
- 100% distance learning, in which a child will not attend school in person.
IMPORTANT: Parents/guardians of all students, grades PreK through 12, MUST indicate their choice for each of their children, regardless of grade level. All parents/guardians should make a new selection for the second semester, even if your preference has not changed.
Choices must be made in the ParentVUE system by November 20 at 8 p.m.
Information about how to make the selection through ParentVue is available here and on the LCPS ParentVue website.
Directions for making your selection in ParentVue:
messages/attachments/a813135f08c32bf58f9c67c7e815f5e2/PVUE_S2_ReturnToSchoolSelection_PXP2_ENG.pdf
Chess Club News
Chess Club will be starting online on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM.
Join us whenever you have the time. It's okay to come sometimes and not come other times.
There is no pressure to come every week. We'll be happy to see you on the times you're available.
The Remind code is bh93db. Just use it or email Mrs. Vallor at melissa.vallor@lcps.org, and she will send you the Meet information.
Hope to see you there!
🙂 Mrs. Vallor
PS. It's BYOCB (bring your own chess board.) If you have one, please have it available. Thanks!
Contacting Heritage Faculty and Staff
From the Superintendent's Update
Important Note Regarding Hybrid Model
LCPS will attempt to accommodate the preferences of all parents regarding their hybrid/distance learning choice(s) for the second semester beginning on January 21. At the November 10 School Board meeting, the School Board decided that LCPS could reduce the spacing between desks in classrooms if it is necessary to accommodate the number of students who select hybrid learning. Whenever possible, desks will be 8 feet apart, allowing for 6 feet of separation between students in a classroom. When that is not possible, desks may be placed 6 feet apart center-to-center, allowing at least 4 feet separation between students. Depending on the number of students in the hybrid model, classroom layouts may reflect this change in physical distancing. Similarly, whenever possible students will ride buses based upon seating on every other seat. When that is not possible students may be seated one student per seat. This possibility is dependent on final survey results and may be implemented on a school-by-school basis.
Parents should keep this possibility in mind when making their decision for the second semester. Parents who select the hybrid model are consenting to a model that may vary in classroom layout.
Updated Comprehensive Plan
More information about the instructional plans described above is included in the Hybrid Model in Stages Implementation Plan. The plan is also available online: Update on Implementation of Hybrid Model.
LCPS administrators and teachers remain committed to returning students who choose hybrid learning to classrooms as soon as we can safely do so, and to supporting students who prefer to continue with the 100% distance learning option. We are looking forward to making additional progress with the guidance and support of the community and the School Board.
Winter Sports Tryouts
Tryouts for the truncated Winter Sports season are set to begin Monday, December 7th. More information to come, but if you have any immediate questions, please reach out to our athletic department, Athletic Director, JJ Totaro (james.totaro@lcps.org) and Assistant Athletic Director Nick Siano (nicholas.siano@lcps.org).
HHS School Counseling Newsletter
In case you missed it, here's a link to our Heritage School Counseling October Wrap-Up Newsletter.
From the HHS Athletic Boosters
Dear Heritage High School Families,
Despite the postponement of this year’s athletic schedule, the Athletic Booster Club is hard at work preparing for the most unique seasons to date. For us, it is business as usual as we ensure that your students and our coaches have the resources they need to prepare and compete.
We have some exciting news to share!
After nearly 5 years of planning, early last spring, our executive board voted to purchase
two, hi-definition video scoreboards for our main and auxiliary gyms. This purchase
makes us the FIRST school in Loudoun (and Fairfax) County to purchase these game-changing boards. In fact, we are only the third school in the Commonwealth of Virginia
to install these boards!
For more information and more pictures and videos, check out the flyer on the Update email or click here.
Sincerely,
The Heritage High School Athletic Boosters Executive Board
Ana Keefe Kyper, President
Kelly Shue, Vice President, Sponorships/Advertising
Kris Holland, Vice President, Concessions
Dean and Amy Sibley, Treasurers
Naz Burlbaugh, Secretary
Behind the Wheel
The Behind the Wheel program in LCPS has restarted, as of 9/21/2020.
If interested, contact Mr. Soroush by email: ebi.soroush@lcps.org.
PTSO and Booster Clubs
Congratulations to the PTSO on their new website! You can view it here.
If you are interested in our other Booster clubs, as well, more information can be found at their websites:
Class of 2021 (Senior) Information
Graduation, 2021 Announced
Graduation 2021 will be Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 7 p.m. @ iON Training Center. I am so excited to share this date with you and look forward to handing you those diplomas!
Senior Fee
Don't forget to pay your Senior Fee:
The Balfour site is set up, so you can go ahead and begin ordering your caps and gowns.
https://www.balfournova.com/
- Click on caps and gowns.
- Click on Heritage High School
- Create a new account if they don't have one already.
- Complete the order.
As before, the Senior Fee will be collected at the Balfour website. Balfour is our vendor for caps and gowns. Here's what Seniors in the Class of 2021 will be charged:
Cap and Gown-$50
Senior T-Shirt-$15
College Application/Search Resources
The HHS School Counseling Department has been busy. You can check out the college resources, including information about virtual college visits by going here.
Senior Class Sponsors
If you have questions, don't forget to reach out to your AMAZING Class Sponsors, Ms. Knapp (jacquelyn.knapp@lcps.org) and Ms. Lee (cathy.lee@lcps.org). If you have any questions about Senior-stuff, they are a great resource!
Heritage Counseling Senior Support
Seniors, I wanted to draw your attention to the Heritage School Counseling newsletter and the Senior Corner section. Your Counselors are hard at work, preparing guidance for you, as you prepare for what comes after Graduation!
New Yearbook Site
https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/hhsjourneyyearbook/home is the address.
Check it out to find out more about Senior baby ads, picture uploads and purchasing your copy of the Yearbook!
Cameras
Reporting Student Absences
The Book Bus is Coming!
See this flyer for more details!
Troubleshooting Guide
Heritage 100% Distance Learning Schedule (UPDATED 10/30/2020)
School Hours
Mondays are designated as asynchronous days, but students are expected to engage with their work.
The Heritage Main Office Hours will be from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.
Heritage is on Instagram!
We finally have established an account on Instagram! Follow us @roarpridehhs!
Coming to Heritage
In the last 48 hours have you had any of the following symptoms:
1. A new fever (100.4 or higher) or the sense of having a fever?
2. Use of medication to reduce a fever (in the last 24 hours)?
3. A new cough that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
4. New shortness of breath that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
5. A new sore throat that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
6. New onset of congestion or a runny nose that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
7. New muscle aches (myalgia) that you cannot attribute to another condition or that may not have been caused by a specific activity (such as physical exercise)?
8. New nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
9. New loss of taste or smell that you cannot attribute to another health condition?
10. Have you been around someone who has symptoms of illness or someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
If you answer "Yes" to any of these questions, please do not come to Heritage. Reach out to us and we can make other arrangements to take care of what you need.
For our 9-12 graders
LCPS COVID-19 Hotline
Community members are welcome to call 571-252-6499 with any questions about the status of school operations, current schedules, and the latest information on other topics. The hotline will operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Important Reminders
Community Resources
Here is a list of Community Resources, as well, should you or someone you know need them:
HEALTHWORKS FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA
PHONE: 703.443.2000 ext. 4688 | FAX: 703-771-4120
163 Fort Evans Road NE
Leesburg, VA 20176
CATHOLIC CHARITIES ST. LUCY FOOD PROJECT
703-443-2481
316 E. Market St. Leesburg
Monday-Thursday 9:30am-12:00pm
1st & 3ed Saturday 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
SALVATION ARMY SATURDAY MEAL DISTRIBUTION
4:00PM at Shenandoah Office Bldg. Parking lot
102 Heritage Way, Leesburg.
LOUDOUN HUNGER RELIEF
703-777-5911
750 Miller Dr., Suite A-1, Leesburg
Wed/Fri/Sat 10:00 am- 12:45 pm
TREE OF LIFE FOOD PANTRY
540-441-7920 Delivery service only
to areas 20175 & 20176
Leesburg deliveries Saturday only
Dinner Night: Tuesday 6:00pm-7:00pm
850 Edward Ferry Rd. NE, Leesburg.