On the Horizon
Thanksgiving Week
Message from the Principal
Welcome to Thanksgiving week 2020! This is certainly a unique time for our town, district, state, and honestly the entire world. I wish you a safe and meaningful time with your family over this Thanksgiving break.
In line with the background, I was hoping to say we are on the homestretch to actualizing our 2nd-grade plan for returning to in-person learning. However, we will remain serving our current highest needs, K, and 1st-grade students at this time. Please see below for the detailed rationale behind this decision as 2020 continues to be a season of flexible changes based on often updated information. https://www.psd401.net/schoolreopening has the most current news.
Here is a summary of Friday PSD Communication:
- We are pleased to be able to share information about our participation in the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s (TPCHD) COVID-19 school-based testing pilot. This program will operate in the Peninsula School District between Nov. 30 and Dec. 18, with a kickoff mobile testing event on Sunday, Nov. 29.
- Delay of In-Person Learning for 2nd Grade
- In the meantime, we are maintaining the program to serve K-1, special education, and other selected small groups of students, in-person.
- Inclement Weather Information
Doc U Sign
A DocuSign Rights and Responsibilities: Handbook email went out Friday, Nov 13, at about 4pm. Please check your inbox for this Docusign survey, it replaces the former handbook papers that used to be signed in hard copy forms by parents and student.
YRU - Year Round Updates to ensure your contact information is up to date
Parents have the ability to log into their Parent Portal account and click the Year Round Update link to review and make changes to their contact information. If you don’t already have a ParentPortal account you will have to create one. For information on creating an account go to psd401.net/parent-portal. We ask that all families review the information at least once a year as well as any time they have changes.
Since accurate information for PSD is especially critical in this remote setting, below are the instructions to ensure your contact information is up to date via the Year Round Update in PowerSchool (Parent Portal).
SHARING AND CARING 2020
Dear Harbor Heights Community,
It is that wonderful time of year where we are typically kicking off our “Sharing and Caring” drive. This has been a year like no other. The need in our community is greater than it has ever been. In years past, we have typically collected non-perishable food, toys and gifts for families in need during the holiday season and donated all items to the Children’s Home Society out on the Key Peninsula and the FISH Food Bank.
We would like to continue this wonderful Harbor Heights tradition, starting Monday, November 23rd - December 11th. The Children’s Home Society and the FISH Food Bank have specific needs this year. The food bank has had a steady supply of food donations during this pandemic. Therefore, both organizations would like us to focus on specific items for kids of all ages, especially those aged 9-17. In order to support their needs we have created an Amazon Wishlist. This list can be found at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3I9X8XV9LGSR?ref_=wl_share. In addition to the items on the list, both organizations could use grocery cards and gas cards that may be dropped off or mailed directly to the school.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane Nelson at nelsonja@psd401.net. Thank you in advance for your generosity and continued support of our Gig Harbor community.
Message from Mrs. Watson and SKOOB
Thank you to those that participated in this year's Maple Leaf Stem contest! You did an excellent job leaf hunting this year. Here are the winning entries for Grand Prize and Grade Level. I will get the certificates to the teachers so they can get those delivered to our leaf hunters.
Great job and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Watson and SKOOB
Positive COVID-19 Communication
Dear Harbor Heights School Staff and Families,
We learned early this morning, Saturday Nov. 21, that an individual at Harbor Heights elementary has tested positive for COVID-19.
After investigating the situation, the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) has determined who was in close contact with this individual, and those individuals have been contacted about this situation. Close contact is defined by the Health Department as within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more.
Federal health privacy laws prevent us from disclosing information that would lead to possible identification of any staff or students who are monitoring their health at home. Those people are following directions of the health department while TPCHD investigates further.
Please be assured that all cleaning protocols as recommended in OSPI guidance are being followed daily and our school is clean and safe for in-person learning. School will run normally on Monday for all staff, students, and families who have not been notified of a change.
We feel it is important to keep you informed of issues such as these when they occur. Any further information will be provided at the advice of the health department.
For more information about COVID-19, visit tpchd.org/coronavirus.
Sincerely,
John Hellwich
Assistant Superintendent
Inclement Weather PSD
As the fall and winter storm season is upon us, we’re sending this to explain Peninsula School District's procedures and expectations during inclement weather and school closures. Below you will find guidelines to make this process easier, plus explain how weather decisions are made.
Delay or Closure Decisions:
• Weather information is reviewed the day and night prior to the decision. A review with our Transportation Department and neighboring districts is also done.
• Starting at 3:00 a.m. or sooner, district officials and the Transportation Department drive emergency bus routes throughout the district's current operating routes.
• The district may choose to operate on a normal schedule, start late, or close entirely.
• A decision to alter the school day in any way due to inclement weather, will apply to both in-person students/staff and remote students/staff.
• Late starts allow us:
o Time to monitor and adjust decisions to changing weather and road conditions;
o Safety of daylight for students and Transportation personnel;
o Additional time for Peninsula School District staff to arrive to work; and
o Time for the Transportation Department to further critique snow routes and make necessary adjustments or modifications.
Types of Communication:
• The SchoolMessenger System© notifies all staff and parents of a decision within 30 minutes by phone, text, and/or email.
• Emergency weather procedures can be found on the Peninsula School District website at psd401.net.
• The Peninsula School District emergency information line can be reached at 253-530-1088.
• Local TV and radio stations will provide timely updates.
• For questions regarding your child's emergency bus route, contact the Transportation Department at 253-530-3900.
Please remember the district has a large geographical size and weather conditions may vary greatly from area to area. This may warrant a closure or late start for the entire district due to conditions impacting only limited areas. Student and employee safety is our highest priority.
Harbor Heights Elementary
We are a passionate community dedicated to the success of the whole child
Email: bentlerd@psd401.net
Website: https://hhe.psd401.net/
Location: 4002 36th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 530-1800
Facebook: facebook.com/hhorcas