Our educational plan for the 2020-21 school year will be reviewed for a potential transition at tomorrow’s regular board of education meeting. Navigating school during a pandemic continues to be a challenge and each decision impacts students, families and staff in a variety of ways. We have heard from many families over the past month and we know that while some families feel it is critical to immediately return to school, others believe we should still take our time to experience virtual learning before returning in-person.
Pending approval at tomorrow’s board of education meeting, Licking Heights plans to begin the transition back to in-person/hybrid learning. With the in-person/hybrid schedule, families with last names A-J attend class in-person Mon. and Tues., and families with last names K-Z attend class in-person Thurs. and Fri. We will do our best to honor students from the same household with different last names. Students will engage in virtual learning through SchoolsPLP on the days they are not in the building.
Educational plan (In-person/hybrid v. full-time virtual selection)
In August, families selected their learning option when they completed their child’s annual emergency medical authorization form (EMA.) We want families to have the opportunity to re-evaluate their decision based on the most current public health environment, as well as, we have withdrawn or enrolled over 550 new students (
not including new preschool and kindergarten students) to the district since the beginning of August.
All students will be assigned to the virtual educational option, unless you opt-in to in-person/hybrid through this Google Form (regardless of your previous selection.)
An opt-in form must be completed for each student who wishes to participate in the in-person/hybrid model. The form will remain available through Sun., Sept. 20. We ask that you review the attached Learning Models document so you can make an informed decision for your child(ren.)
You do not need to complete this form if you want your child(ren) to continue learning virtually.
Preschool
- Watch for a separate letter from the principal that provides information about our preschool program and options.
Grades K – 6
- In-person/hybrid instruction commences the week of October 12.
- Watch for a separate communication from our elementary and intermediate principals that provides information about the hybrid orientation the week of October 5.
Grades 7 – 12
- In-person/hybrid instruction commences the week of October 26.
- Watch for a separate communication from our middle and high school principals that provides information about the hybrid orientation the week of October 19.
Student meals and transportation
- Student meals. All students (in-person/hybrid or full-time virtual) regardless of paid status will be able to receive free single serving breakfast and lunch through the end of the calendar year (Dec. 31) or until USDA funds are depleted. We will notify parents when this changes.
- Transportation. If your child(ren) needs transportation on their assigned in-person/hybrid day, please indicate your selection within the hyperlink above.
Though our county alert levels (Franklin and Licking) have improved from red (level 3) to orange (level 2) over the past three weeks, we have, once again, recently seen local case counts trend upwards – primarily in Franklin County. Our District’s reopening plans are contingent upon public health conditions remaining the same or improving. We will continue to work with our local health departments to evaluate data and information over the following weeks.
As a reminder, educational selections are for the current semester. The board of education and the administration will re-evaluate public health prior to the end of the first semester (Jan. 15) and, when available, we will continue to provide updates. Thank you for your flexibility as we work through these unprecedented challenges.