Highland Happenings
For the Week of September 28, 2020
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Families,
As we get further into the school year, we see attendance beginning to drop off ever so slowly, in some periods. It can be challenging to maintain engagement, but it is very important for students to continue to join class and check in with their teachers during asynchronous time in the afternoons and on Wednesday. Teachers are trying to be consistent by posting check lists on their main class Teams channels for students to follow. Some examples include -
- Work by yourself during the asynchronous time and post any questions you have in Channel 3 or our Team
- Work with a partner or small group during asynchronous time. You can do a voice or a video call, or just chat
- Join a call with Miss Melissa (science teacher) during asynchronous time and we will do the work together.
I know there have been many schedule changes over the past several days, some without much communication. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused with our families. Due to large volume of changes that occurred, communication suffered. Our goal is to improve communication for all situations as we continue through the school year.
You will start seeing clubs and activities become available for students in October. A few students have approached me about starting clubs and we will get back to you! Student-led clubs are run through our ASB (Associated Student Body). You will be hearing more about them in the very near future.
With gratitude,
Susan Thomas
#WeAreHighland/#SomosHighland
Back to School "Night"
SEL Alert!
Important information:
1. Everybody needs to do it
2. We will schedule a time during asynchronous time to do it with students if they haven't completed it by 4 pm on Monday.
3. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes.
Families can go through it together. It is required information that we share with students about Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying or HIB. Ask your student to check their Outlook email to access the Nearpod.
Highland Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Stern
Click on the picture of the flowers above to view the story from KING 5.
Update on Transition to Hybrid Learning
In our message to families last week we announced the developing plan of our return to Hybrid Learning, outlining the order in which we plan to welcome student groups back.
While some limited in-person learning is occurring, we will welcome student groups back as follows:
- Pre-K – 2nd grade for 5 days per week
- 3rd– 5th grade students for 2-3 days per week
- Middle and high school (6th– 12th grades) begin with 1 day per week
- Middle and high school moving to 2-3 days per week
The transition will be gradual, more like turning a dial than flipping a switch. Once we see a consistent downward trend in infection rates, we will bring students back in gradual waves for in-person instruction. The plan is start with our younger students and move to our older students due to more limited social interaction at lower grades and ensuring that health and safety plans and protocols are systematically put in place.
Health & Safety Are Our Focus
When students, educators, and staff return to school during Hybrid Learning, the health and safety of our learning community is at the center. Areas that we want to assure families that we have developed plans and protocols include the following:
- Cleaning of Schools: Focusing efforts on high-use touch point areas such as door handles, faucets, and railings
- Closure Protocols and Reporting: Coordinating with public health and reporting any suspected or known cases of COVID-19 to our learning community
- Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures: Providing multiple entry and exit points to create adequate physical distancing for students as they enter and leave buildings
- Face Coverings: Requiring students, staff, and all persons in our facilities to wear face coverings
- Physical Distancing in the Classroom: Reconfiguring indoor classrooms and common spaces to ensure six feet of physical distance between all persons
- Hand Washing Procedures: Requiring and providing opportunities for students and staff to wash or sanitize hands upon entering the building and throughout the day
- Screening for COVID-19: Conducting daily health screenings of students and staff, including temperature checks and requiring attestations to being free of any COVID-19 symptoms
- Meals: Reconfiguring physical spaces and schedules to provide meal spaces to students that ensure six feet of physical distance
Physical Distancing on Buses: Limiting students to two per seat and requiring face coverings, as well as keeping windows open for ventilation and sanitizing buses after each trip
- Visitors: Limiting visitors during the school day to only emergency needs or contracted agency staff who work directly with students for educational purposes
Free & Reduced Priced Meals
Follow the link to apply: https://bsd405.org/services/nutrition-services/free-reduced/
Get Help with Technology
Supporting a Healthy Online Experience
Manage Student Devices with App
The Bellevue School District is making apParent Online available to parents and guardians to monitor and manage your student’s district-issued laptop outside of school hours. ApParent Online is available for Windows devices, iPhones (iOS) and Android phones.
The apParent offers several tools to help you manage your student’s technology:
- Encourage your student to stay safe online and on task by tracking your student’s online browsing history and websites visited.
- The app allows you to remotely lock and unlock your student’s device or schedule a screen lock at a specific time.
Review the Technology Responsible Use Pledge with Your Student
Families and educators play a role in keeping student’s safe and healthy online. Our Technology Responsible Use Pledge includes helpful topics to discuss with children. Our educators are also developing positive and healthy classroom norms to help students have a healthy online experience
Highland Middle School
Email: thomass@bsd405.org
Website: https://bsd405.org/highland/
Location: 15027 NE Bel-Red Rd
Phone: (425) 456-6400