Heritage High Weekly Update-March 5
The news you need from the Home of the PRIDE!
March 5, 2021
Traduccion en Espanol
-Cuando llegue aqui haga clic en la flecha que apunta hacia abajo y escoja el idioma "Spanish"
The Latest
I hope this Update finds you and those you care about safe and healthy.
This has been a BIG week at Heritage and throughout LCPS, as all of our secondary students in Phase 4 who selected hybrid started back to in-person classes. As we begin to experience what hybrid learning and concurrent teaching feels like, please let us know what concerns you may have. As always, that goes for any of our students, Hybrid or Distance, whatever the choice a student made, we are all still part of Heritage High School and the PRIDE!
I actually do not have too many updates for you today, since we have started into this new phase, and we are adjusting and tweaking, as needed.
Hybrid FAQs for Families
We have not updated anything on the Hybrid FAQ Site, but I always like to remind you that it is there.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We want to make sure you are getting the information you need.
Attendance Zone Boundary Discussions
Last week, I shared that we had heard of Attendance Zone Boundary discussions amongst some community members. The LCPS Planning Department has developed a dedicated webpage specific to the ongoing attendance zone conversations: Central Loudoun Area Secondary School Attendance Zones. Questions about the Attendance Zone Change process should be directed to the Planning Office using the email lcpsplan@lcps.org. As additional information is made available, I will provide it to our greater school community.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
ROAR PRIDE!
Jeff Adam
Principal
Heritage High School
#wearethepride
Important Dates
Monday, March 1st-Friday, March 26th-Testing Window for Writing SOL
Sunday, March 7th-Last Day to Pay for an AP Exam
March 29th-April 2nd-Spring Break (Schools and Offices Closed)
Taking an AP Test?
The last day to pay for an AP exam is 11:59 PM on Sunday, March 7th!!
The payment portal is:
*If you are not registered for the AP class in MyAPClassroom, your student will need to get a join code from Brenda Gottlieb Brenda.Gottlieb@lcps.org and there will be a $40.00 late fee on top of the test fee of $86.00.
*On March 8, if an AP test has not been paid for, all YES registrations will be changed to NO. This will mean that no AP test will be ordered.
E-mail Brenda Gottlieb with any questions at: Brenda.Gottlieb@lcps.org
Heritage Athletics Update
Contests
Friday, 3/5
7 PM Away Varsity Football @ Broad Run HS
Saturday, 3/6
11 AM/12:15 PM/1:30 PM Away Volleyball @ Loudoun Valley HS
Monday, 3/8
6:45 PM Field Hockey v. Park View @ Broad Run HS
7 PM Home JV Football v. Heritage HS
Tuesday, 3/9
3 PM Golf v. Tuscarora HS @ Belmont Ridge Country Club
6 PM Away Volleyball @ Park View HS
Wednesday, 3/10
3:30 PM Away Cross Country vs. Tuscarora/Loudoun Valley @ TBD
5:30/6:45/8 PM Home Volleyball vs. Tuscarora HS
6:45 PM Field Hockey v. Loudoun Valley @ Loudoun Valley HS
Thursday, 3/11
3 PM Golf v. Loudoun Valley HS @ Loudoun Valley
6:30 PM Cheer @ Park View HS
5:30/6:45/8 PM Away Volleyball @ Independence HS
Friday, 3/12
7:00 PM Away Varsity Football @ Independence HS
Saturday, 3/13
4:30 PM Field Hockey v. Independence HS @ Dominion HS
Second Semester Bell Schedule (began Thursday, January 21st, 2021)
Second Semester Lunch Schedule
Course Selection Information
Even if you missed out Course Information Night event, the information about Course Selection is still available. Please reach out to your child's counselor or teachers with questions.
Course Selection Information Page
- Visit the Course Selection Information Page for helpful resources on the following: Course Descriptions, Elective Videos, Department Presentations, Course Selection Advisory Lessons, DE Registration Information, Deadlines, and much more!
Unified Mental Health Team Information
Good afternoon, Students and Parents,
I hope that you are well! I wanted to reach out to provide you with some valuable information regarding mental health supports in our community. We have presented information to our freshman student body this week about who the Unified Mental Health Team members at Heritage are and how students can support each other and find support from our staff. The presentation educates students about resiliency and healthy ways to manage life’s stressors using the Sources of Strength model. Help-seeking behaviors are taught for when students may be experiencing mental health struggles. They are taught to share their concerns with a trusted adult. Our Unified Mental Health Team members include:
Jeffrey Adam, School Principal
Suzanne Eicholtz, Director of School Counseling
Catherine Tannuzzo, School Psychologist
Leslie Saunders, School Social Worker
Megan Marshall, Student Assistance Specialist
Meagen Zawistowski, School Counselor
Zamarit Simpkins, School Counselor
Jay Wareham, School Counselor
Donald Jones, School Counselor
Kim-Marie Brown, School Counselor
Keenan Elder, School Counselor
Sarah Larson, School Nurse
Here are the ways that students and parents can contact any member of the Unified Mental Health Team:
- Phone: (571) 252-2816
- Email: HeritageMentalHealth@lcps.org.onmicrosoft.com
Students, feel free to scan the QR code below to complete the Appointment Request Form, to connect with someone from the UMHT.
Please note that the Appointment Request Form, the phone number, and emails are not monitored outside of school hours. In the event of an emergency, please contact 911 for assistance.
We are looking forward to meeting you in person in the near future, and we are available to help you, whether it's for emotional or academic reasons. Feel free to contact us and let us know how we can help you.
Thank you so much for your attention to this email! It is a pleasure to serve you!
Sincerely,
Ms. Catherine Tannuzzo
Heritage School Psychologist
(571) 252-2816
UHMT Appointment Request Form
Please note that the Appointment Request Form, the phone number, and emails are not monitored outside of school hours. In the event of an emergency, please contact 911 for assistance.
Additional Emotional Support Resources
Senior Yard Signs
Class of 2021 (Senior) Information
Senior Yard Signs are Coming
Class of 2021 Graduation Yard Signs are now on sale!!! A flyer was included in the Update email and appears above. Here’s a hyperlink to the Class of 2021 Graduation Yard Sign. The sign was designed by HHS’ own Ryan Benson. Purchase yours now (or purchase one for that senior in your neighborhood). Proceeds from the sale go to the PTSO Scholarships.
New Last Day for Seniors
The last day for all Seniors will be Friday, June 4th. This is a change for all LCPS Seniors. Those members of the Class of 2021 who are involved in the PRIDE In Our Community projects will still use the last dates discussed with Mr. Hummer.
Senior Cap and Gown Picture Day
Seniors, if you didn't get a chance to take Cap and Gown photos before, we have arranged a special day just for that purpose. Monday, April 19th, 2021, Victor O'Neil Studios will be here to take Cap and Gown photos. If you ordered your Cap and Gown by February 8th, it should be delivered to your home by then. VOS will also have shared Caps and Gowns that students can use. Shared clothing is sanitized between each user. A sign-up link will be sent out from Heritage as we get closer to the date.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!
Update on Spring Standards of Learning Assessments (SOLs)
The following information went out to the LCPS Community on Wednesday. Please contact your child's counselor if you have questions about which SOL assessments your child may have to take this year.
"Parents/Guardians and Students:
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) requires that state and federal assessments be delivered under secure, standardized testing conditions in the presence of school personnel and may not be administered remotely to students. Students in any instructional model (100% distance or hybrid) must attend school in person to participate in Standards of Learning (SOL) testing. To support students’ health and safety, Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will ensure that health mitigation procedures are in place and social distancing is observed. Transportation will be provided to students who reside within a bus zone.
LCPS will be administering the Spring Writing SOL test to students enrolled in grade 8 Reading and English 11 March 1-March 26 and the Spring Non-Writing SOL tests to students in grades 3-12 May 3-May 28.
Students enrolled in a high school level course must accrue standard credits by passing a course and verified credits by passing an SOL test or board-approved substitute tests toward graduation.
While we encourage all students to participate in assessment, we understand that some families may have concerns about the in-person testing requirement. Parents who do not wish for their student to participate in state and/or federally mandated assessments may indicate their refusal by emailing their student’s School Testing Coordinator. A parent refusal form can also be found on the LCPS website.
Questions regarding assessment administration or requirements may be addressed to Leigh.Bennett@lcps.org, Supervisor, Assessment Services."
ACCESS for ELs Assessment
All active English Learners (levels 1-4) are expected to participate in the federally mandated WIDA ACCESS for ELLs testing sometime within the testing window which begins on January 19, 2021 and ends on March 12, 2021. Schools with larger populations of ELs may request an extension to the testing window that extends until April 16th. The administration of WIDA ACCESS for ELLs for the 2020-2021 school year must be conducted in person.
By measuring your child’s ability to listen, speak, read, and write in English, test information helps teachers plan how best to teach your child and to determine eligibility for testing accommodations using one of the following tests:
● Online WIDA ACCESS for ELLs;
● Alternate ACCESS for ELLs--administered one-on-one
The tests will be administered at your child’s school. The majority of students will take the online test which will be administered in small groups over two or more school days. Students should bring their charged devices, their chargers and may bring their personal earbuds or headsets for the day(s) of testing. Students will be given opportunities to make up any missed work.
Transportation will be provided for students who are eligible for bus transportation.
COVID-19 symptom checks, social distancing, and safety measures will be followed.
You will be notified of days and times for testing by your child’s school. Parents and students have been notified by email of the testing being conducted January 25 and February 1. Other families will be notified as the testing schedule is finalized.
While it is a federal expectation that all EL students participate in this federally required assessment, we understand that you may have concerns regarding the in-person assessment requirements, despite our health mitigation procedures. If you have concerns about the in-person testing requirement and wish to discuss refusal of participation in this year’s ACCESS assessment, please email Brenda Gottlieb, Heritage Test Coordinator.
For further information, please email Brenda Gottlieb, Heritage Test Coordinator.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this time.
Updates on Meal Service
The following information was sent by LCPS:
As a reminder, beginning Monday, February 1, 2021, bus delivery of school meals will be limited to Mondays only with all meals (breakfast, lunch, snack, supper) for the week (Monday through Sunday) being delivered on Mondays.
Walk-up meal service at schools WILL NOT change. Walk-up meal service will continue daily Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at elementary schools and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at middle and high schools.
Weekly delivery of meals for the month of February will occur as follows:
- Monday, February 8 – Meals for Monday, Feb 8 – Monday, Feb 15 (8 days)
- Tuesday, February 16* – Meals for Tuesday, February 16 – Sunday, February 21 (6 days)
- Monday, February 22 – Meals for Monday, Feb 22 – Sunday, Feb 28 (7 days)
*Note – Due to a federal/school holiday on Monday, February 15 – weekly meal delivery for this week will fall on Tuesday, February 16.
Visitor Protocols
Contacting Heritage Faculty and Staff
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:
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
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!
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.
Changes/Highlights
- This Bell Schedule will begin on Thursday, January 21st, whether we are in hybrid or distance learning mode. Beginning it during the second semester means we will be ready to support hybrid learning, even if we haven’t started back yet, officially.
- Start time: 9:15 AM; End Time: 4:03 PM. This is dictated by LCPS Transportation and allows for them to manage all of the bus routes for all three levels.
- Students will report to 1st and 5th Block at the beginning of each school day, instead of to their PRIDE TIMEs. Advisory lessons will be done through 1st and 5th blocks, so PRIDE TIME groups will not meet at all second semester, unless a PRIDE TIME teacher arranges something special with their group. This was not an easy decision for us, but logistically, we had to find minutes where we could, in order to have the beginning of school at 9:15 AM , keep 82 minute classes, have four lunch shifts, and end at 4:03 PM. Teachers who do not have an A1/B5 class will be assigned a logistical duty during the Advisory time.
- 4 lunch shifts, instead of one big lunch, during A3 and B7 with a Brain Break included. We will have just over 260 kids in the building each day and a cafeteria capacity of 75 students, we have to run 4 lunch shifts to be able to fit everyone in. Which lunch shift students have is forthcoming and will be communicated by the teachers.
- Brain Break during the day. There is a “Brain Break” during each A3/B7 class. This will be taken at the designated times and is a time where in-person students get to relax and at-home students can turn off their screens. This unstructured time is also a requirement of LCPS Policy: 5011.
- 82 minute classes. This is not a change, but Learning Lab time will no longer be designated at designated times. However, teachers will be incorporating approximately 22 minutes into their daily lessons for students to work independently.
- Advisory lessons will be given through 1st and 5th blocks by 1st and 5th Block teachers, and not by PRIDE T so PRIDE TIME groups will not meet at all second semester (unless you arrange for a Monday check-in with your group)
- Here is a link to the Second Semester Bell Schedule for Heritage High School.
- Please note: each LCPS high school schedule is a little bit different because our numbers for students in hybrid vary widely.