Heritage High Summer Update-July 24
The news you need from the Home of the PRIDE!
July 24th, 2020
The Latest
I do hope this update finds you and those you love safe and well.
As most of you are aware, at their meeting on Tuesday, July 21st, the Loudoun County School Board endorsed Dr. Williams' recommendation "to start the new school year providing 100% distance learning to all students, with limited exceptions, and to subsequently implement the planned hybrid model in stages." A message went out from Dr. Williams on Wednesday, but if you did not see it, you can read it here.
I know that this is a huge shift, especially for those of you who had chosen the hybrid model. Like many of you, I am working through a variety of emotions. While I am optimistic and truly believe that the Heritage High School Faculty and Staff can provide a robust, inclusive, equitable, and engaging Distance Learning environment for our students, I also am disappointed that many of the in-person traditions and events that we love and look forward to will have to be altered, postponed, or cancelled, just as we have had to do since March. As principal of Heritage, I miss our students and staff tremendously.
As before, I remain hopeful that we will be able to see each other soon, and I look forward to the day that we can begin to welcome all of the members of the PRIDE back into our school building (and not just because it means I can shave again. For those of you who don't know, I made the pledge back in March that I wouldn't shave until we were back in school).
At Heritage, we are focusing on what we can control. I want our parents and students to know that we are committed to making Distance Learning at Heritage the best it can be. We don't have a lot of details yet on the schedule that LCPS will be using, and draft schedules were included on the updates and can be found here. More details on our plan and what our families can expect will be forthcoming, as we begin to put things in place. However, we are planning our professional learning for when our faculty and staff return. As you might expect, it will focus heavily on distance learning and will include how to utilize tools such as Schoology for clear communication with students and families. Using assessment differently will also feature highly in our professional development efforts, and we continue to be committed to providing an equitable learning environment for all of our students, whether it be virtual or in person. We appreciate your support and patience as we work through this new direction.
As I sent to my faculty yesterday, "we've got to do this right, and we've got to do this together." I don't claim to have all the answers and realize I can only control so much, but I want you to know I am committed to do everything within my power to making Distance Learning at Heritage successful.
I remain humbled by your trust in us and honored to be your principal!
ROAR PRIDE!
Jeff Adam
Principal
Heritage High School
#wearethepride
Census Reminder
- Special Education ($9.9 million/year)
- The National School Lunch Program ($8.5 million/year)
An undercount in your school's community would have major ramifications through the next census in 2030.
For our 9-12 graders
Heritage High School Scheduling Process
Administration is actively working to create a master schedule framework for students and staff for the 2020-2021 school year with the new 100% Distance Learning model in mind. The Master Schedule is the chief driver of everything that happens at a school and also, the most complicated piece of our organizational structure. Once we are able to get the schedule squared away, related items, such as academic resources, Back to School Night/New Student Orientation, can start to fall into place, as well.
VHSL Update
School Board update
The Loudoun County School Board will be meeting next on Tuesday, August 11th, at 4 PM. More information about the meeting and how to watch it can be found here.
First day of school change
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. Calls will be answered until 5 p.m. on Monday. The hotline will operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Heritage School Counseling is Growing
We look forward to welcoming Mr. Kevin Burke as an additional counselor to our Heritage School Counseling Team in the fall.
Mr. Burke comes to us from Riverside High School and is entering his 10th year as a high school counselor.
We are pleased that this addition to the team lowers the counselor to student ratio, with positive benefits for all.
Class of 2021, please be reassured that we will take a collaborative approach to post-secondary support and the college application process.
You will be well-taken care of!
The new counselor breakdown is as follows:
Ms. Zawistowski: A-Cha
Ms. Simpkins: Che-Gol
Mr. Burke: Gom-La
Mr. Jones: Le-Or
Ms. Brown: Os-Sme
Mr. Elder: Smi-Z
Summer Continuity of Education Resources
Tdap Requirement
Deadline for Course Change Requests
School Picture Dates (Please note this may change based on guidance from LCPS)
Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2 – Senior portraits in the cafeteria
Oct. 5 & 6 – senior make up
Sept. 14, 15 and 16 – Underclass portraits
Oct. 7 – Underclass make up
Yearbook Information
If you ordered a Yearbook but have not picked it up yet, please contact Ms. Simpson, our bookkeeper, by email at janice.simpson@lcps.org to arrange for another time/day to come by HHS to get your Yearbook.
For all families coming to Heritage, please do not come if you are running a fever or feeling sick.
Class of 2021 (Senior) Information
I sent this information out in a separate email two weeks ago, but I wanted to include it here as well.
Senior Portrait Information
You will be receiving an email from Heritage about Senior portraits and signing up for a time. We will not be using the shared drapes and gowns at this initial appointment due to concerns with virus transmission. Students should come in the personal attire they choose for their pictures, along with any changes of clothing for different poses. We are exploring the possibility of scheduling Cap and Gown-only sessions so families will have a chance to see and purchase those in the Spring.
Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2 – Senior portraits in the cafeteria
Oct. 5 & 6 – senior make up
Graduation 2021
This has not been scheduled yet, but as soon as it is, and we have a plan for it, I will let you know. Obviously, just as with Graduation 2020, much depends on physical distancing guidelines and the current state of health concerns. Although it will be here before we know it, there is still a lot of time between now and June, 2021, and as we are all well aware, a lot can change. However, now that we have seen all kinds of graduation ceremonies from inside Gyms to outside on the field to small, intimate individual ceremonies, I can assure you that we will do everything we can to make it meaningful for our graduates and families, because you deserve it!
Post-Secondary Support and College Application Process
Class of 2021, please be reassured that we will take a collaborative approach to post-secondary support and the college application process. You have not been forgotten by anyone at Heritage, and our School Counseling Department is committed to working with you and your family to help support you through your post-secondary planning, no matter which model families choose.
Senior Fees/Activities
Communication about Senior Fees/Activities will be communicated by mid-August once things begin to take shape regarding the calendar and what will be allowed under the current health and safety guidance.
Parking Passes
We do not have any information about parking passes yet or spaces, but we will let you know as soon as the decision is made on the Division level.
For our 9th Graders only
Expunging Middle School Grades
Per the Program of Studies, the only opportunity to expunge a high school credit is between 8th and 9th Grade.
Important Reminders
Community Resources
Here is a list of Community Resources, as well, should you or someone you know need them:
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.