Author: Stacie Raterman

Since the beginning of Covid, Hilliard City Schools has worked with our local health officials to guide our safety practices. District Leadership and the Board of Education remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff.  District leaders will continue to analyze local data and safety procedures with health officials.

At this time, we are in the process of finalizing our plans for the opening of the school year. We are waiting to receive and review all state and local recommendations.  However, we will require masks on school transportation per a federal regulation that is in place until at least September 13, 2021.

Please note, there is a special Board of Education meeting on August 4, 2021; however, this will be held in executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, promotion, or compensation of a public employee or official. Therefore, there will be no time for public comment, nor will there be any action taken after the executive session. The next regular Board meeting is on August 9.

If you find yourself with a few extra minutes these days, why not check HomeAccess to confirm your contact information is up to date.  It is especially important we have an accurate MAIN/PRIMARY phone number listed as well as an e-mail address.  These pieces of contact information are used by the district and your child’s school building for emergency and important notification messages, like snow days!  You can also view and sign off on the student handbook and purchase the Technology Protection Plan for any student in grades K-12.  August 19 will be here sooner than you think, so why not do this all now, and not have to worry about it before the first day of school?  Here are some links to help:

View the Technology Protection Plan  (to enroll/purchase, go to: https://MyPaymentsPlus.com )

How to update Registration Information/Contacts and more in HomeAccess

Hilliard City Schools has followed guidance from local health agencies through the Covid-19 pandemic, and as we move into the summer, that will continue to be the plan.

Franklin County Public Health is now advising schools to request all employees, visitors, and students continue to wear masks inside their facilities to the greatest extent possible; however, the Board of Health has voted to rescind its mask order.

Therefore, the Hilliard City Schools will recommend, but not require, the use of masks in our school facilities beginning on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.  We will continue to follow Franklin County Public Health rules on quarantine.

This guidance covers summer operations only.  A comprehensive guide will be shared regarding the 2021-2022 school year closer to the start of school.

As we approach the summer break, we want to be sure our families know there is help available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if a student is in crisis.

If a friend or family member hears direct warning signs like, “I’ve decided to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead,” “I’m going to end it all,” or “If this doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.”  The most important thing to do is call 911 for emergency help.

If there are indirect warning signs like, “I’m tired of life; I just can’t go on,” or “my family would be better off without me,” you should contact local police non-emergency lines or the Safe Schools Helpline.

The Safe Schools Helpline is a free and confidential option for our students to report threats of violence, illegal activity, or any activity they think can harm students or staff in our schools. There is a toll-free number students can call or a number they can text or a web page where they can report their concerns and talk to a trained mental health counselor.

During the school year, we utilize The Hope Squad program.  This is a school-based peer support team that partners with local mental health agencies. Peers select students who are trustworthy and caring individuals to join the Hope Squad. Squad members are trained to watch for at-risk students, provide friendship, identify suicide-warning signs, and seek help from adults.  The Hope Squad students know who to contact when they see a peer in crisis.

Non-Emergency Police                                                    Safe Schools Hotline

Hilliard PD – 614-876-7321                                                 800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359

Dublin PD – 614-889-1112                                                  800-418-6423 ext. 359

Columbus PD – 614-645-4545                                           Text TIPS to 66746

With changes in the mask orders from the State and CDC, we want to be sure our parents understand our policy remains in place. Governor DeWine recently sent out direct communication to all the school districts in Ohio stating students are to remain masked for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.  That message is below.

We have not yet been told what changes and recommendations will be put in place for the Summer Bridge Program or for the 2021 – 2022 school year. We will be communicating this with our families as soon as we know.

For recess, students may remove their masks if social distancing can occur. Given the orders we are still under for Ohio and Franklin county, we must adhere to these rules.

Message from Governor Mike DeWine

Dear Education Leader,

 

Thank you for your hard work this year to provide safe and healthy in-person educational opportunities to Ohio’s students. As you may have seen, the Centers for Disease Control recently revised their recommendations around mask guidance for individuals who are fully vaccinated. While Ohio will be amending its health orders to comply with this new CDC guidance, in order to maintain consistency and model safe behavior for Ohio’s students, these changes do not affect the existing order requiring the use of facial coverings and other health protocols in our schools. With limited numbers of students vaccinated, it is important that we continue these safety measures through the end of the current school year. I appreciate the efforts that you have undertaken locally to protect students and I look forward to continuing to work together for Ohio’s kids.

 

Thank you,

Governor Mike DeWine