Author: Stacie Raterman

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

Thanks to an extension of the current USDA meal waivers, breakfast and lunch will again be free to all students during the 2021-22 school year. If parents currently have funds in their child’s Meal Account and would like to move that to the child’s General Account so they can purchase snacks or a second entrée, please call or email Lisa Wiley at the Foodservice Office lisa_wiley@hboe.org, 614-921-7493. Parents can also request to move funds from one or more children to a sibling’s account. If your child has a significant sum of money in their Meal Account, and you would prefer not to transfer to the General Account, you can request a refund instead of a transfer. Any refund must be a minimum of $20. Be sure to include the name of the child or children, the school building(s) they attend, and their student ID numbers. 

The Hilliard City School Board of Education has asked David Stewart to be the next Hilliard Superintendent.  Mr. Stewart has been serving as the Deputy Superintendent for the South-Western City Schools for the past eight years.

The selection is the result of a national search conducted with the assistance of the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.  There were multiple applicants, along with a targeted search of several others, including superintendents.

Board of Education President Lisa Whiting said in the end, Mr. Stewart proved himself to be the best choice for Hilliard.  “Our community told us they wanted a Superintendent with a proven academic track record and who knows the Hilliard Community,” she added.  “David fit the profile of what our community, staff, and board were looking for.  We are excited to bring him on board.”

David served as the Principal of Darby High School for four years.  In 2008 he was tasked with opening Bradley High School.  As Deputy Superintendent in South-Western, he has a proven track record of driving academic excellence and a passion for working with staff, students, and families.

Mr. Stewart has a Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a Master’s in Education Administration from Ashland University.

“It is an honor to have been selected by the Hilliard Board of Education as the next superintendent of this outstanding school district,” said Stewart.  I am excited to get to work developing relationships with the committed staff and talented students.  Creating partnerships with our parents and community members will be a top priority.  Hilliard is an excellent district, and I look forward to supporting our work to prepare our students for what’s next.”

The Board of Education anticipates a July 1 start date.