Highlands reopening plan includes 2 days in school, 3 days at home

Highlands School District students would be in schools two days a week and work remotely the other three days under the district’s tentative reopening plan.

The district also would offer a full virtual learning option for families with children who cannot return to any in-person schooling in August, according to a letter signed by Superintendent Monique Mawhinney.

A 47-member task force including administrators, teachers, school board members, medical experts, parents and others developed the plan.

“It is important to note that this plan will likely change as new guidelines and recommendations are released,” Mawhinney said in the letter.

The school board is expected to vote on the first draft of the plan July 28. The meeting will be held virtually, board President Bobbie Neese said Friday.

In the letter, Mawhinney said the task force determined a “hybrid model” for reopening was most appropriate because of covid-19 restrictions that must be followed including wearing face masks, maintaining social distance, quarantine guidelines, substitute shortages, cleaning and disinfecting needs, and transportation restrictions.

“We know this is not an ideal situation, and our goal is to return all students to school full time at the start of the second semester, if not sooner,” Mawhinney wrote.

Families will find out which days their children will be in schools after the plan is approved. Mawhinney said the district will work with families with multiple children to give them the same schedule, if desired.

Teachers will lead instruction on remote learning days. Attendance will be taken, and grading will return to what it was before schools were closed.

“Parents will not be expected to be the teacher for their children,” Mawhinney said. “Students will be expected to participate in remote instruction, along with completing the required work assigned.”

Students who have close contact with a confirmed case of covid-19 and are quarantined for 14 days would not be allowed to attend school and would continue learning remotely.

“I encourage all families with young children to have alternative plans in place in the event of an unexpected building closure or if your child would need to be quarantined,” Mawhinney said.

Students who choose to work virtually full time will be able to participate in the Highlands Virtual Academy. It will be available to all students.

Students in the academy will be assigned a Highlands teacher.

Families will be able to sign up for the virtual academy on the district’s website in early August.