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Hope everyone is having a great summer! We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Thursday, August 19th!
Important back to school information.
Darby Days
Darby Days is a time for students to get IDs, schedules, pay fees, pickup parking passes, athletic passes, spirit wear, and classrooms. HR Imaging will be taking school photos on these days as well. You should receive order forms by mail from HR Imaging. Students need to bring the completed form and payment with them.
Monday, Aug. 9th – Grades 10-12
8:00 – 9:00 am Athletes & Band
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 11th – Freshman Orientation
9:00 am – 1:00 pm- Students are expected to attend this entire time and will be served lunch. We ask students to arrive between 8:45-9:00 am.
Thursday, Aug. 12th – Makeup Day
8:00-11:30 am
Darby Bell Schedule – Click here for the 2021-22 Bell Schedule
FREE Parking!
However, students MUST register their vehicle to get a parking pass. We will need the following information when they register:
Email, Student Name, Student ID Number, Driver’s License Number, Make, Model, Color of the Vehicle and the License Plate Number
HR Imaging Picture Envelope
HR Imaging has mailed a prepaid bar-coded flyer to each student that contains all of the information they need on picture day. In fact, the envelope on the flyer actually serves as their personal camera card! Remember to bring the envelope portion of the flyer, regardless of purchase or not, to Darby Days. This can make all the difference between a quick, efficient line and a slow, bottle-necked one.
Open House
Open house will be held on Monday, August 30th from 7-9 pm.
Student Handbook
Please review the 2021-22 Student Handbook
Home Access Updates
Make sure to keep your contact information updated on Home Access! Should we need to contact you in an emergency, this is our source of your information. It’s also very important to make sure your current email address is on Home Access to ensure you receive our weekly emails.
Be in the know!
The best way to know what is happening at Darby is to make sure your email address is correct on Home Access and to follow our Twitter accounts:
@Hilliard_Darby
@HDB_Principal
@DBYGuidance
@HDarbyAthletics
The Darby website also is updated regularly with important news and information.
Building events and activities can be found on our building calendar.
Flyers can be found on our Flyers Connections page.
School Supplies
At the high school level, there is no set list of school supplies. Supply needs vary depending on what courses a student is taking. Teachers will provide a list to students once school starts. Most students just need some basic supplies (paper, notebook, pen/pencil) to get started.
School Fees
Once again, there will be no course fees for this school year. Please check your student’s account for any outstanding fees from previous years including technology and library fees.
Participation fees ($100) will still apply for marching band, color guard and athletics.
Beginning August 1st, all of these fees can be paid on www.MyPaymentsPlus.com or in-person with cash or check at Darby Days.
Free Lunch Program
The USDA has extended food service program waivers to continue to allow ALL STUDENTS to eat breakfast and lunch FREE OF CHARGE for the ENTIRE 2021-22 school year. Students in the Online Academy will also be able to participate in the program; we will send details to the Online Academy families in August.
However, families should still fill out the Free and Reduced School Meals Application to see if they qualify for even more benefits, including:
- pEBT $ (if available)
- Reduced/free participation fees
- Reduced/free iPad Insurance
- Reduced fees for taking ACT/SAT tests
- Reduced fees for college courses
- Reduced/free Internet Service
Click here to fill out the online application.
Click here for a printable application.
Technology Protection Plan
You can now enroll and take advantage of our district’s Technology Protection Plan (TPP) that can help protect you and your student from costly repairs to their iPad due to unforeseen damage. For only $25 per year, this agreement covers the iPad loaned to the student for the 2021-2022 school year against incidental damage or loss over $50. Accessories (charger and case) and damages valued at less than $50 are NOT covered and are the sole responsibility of the student. Coverage is 24 hours per day. The Technology Protection Plan will only cover two incidents per school year. NEGLECT IS NOT COVERED. The TPP is available to all students in grades K-12 during the 2021-2022 school year.
*Enrollment period 6/1/21 – 8/30/21 Click here to enroll
Yearbook Information
2021-22 Yearbooks can be ordered online after August 2nd at https://www.jostens.com/yearbooks/high-school-yearbooks.html. Order early for the best pricing!
Parent Groups
We’re very fortunate to have such a great relationship with our parent groups! If you would like to get involved, here are links to the various groups’ websites.
- PTO
- Hilliard Darby Athletic Boosters
- Hilliard Music Boosters
- Darby Theatre Boosters
- Darby Gridiron Club
- Darby Diamond Club
- Hilliard Education Foundation
Important Forms & Links:
Athletic Information
The athletic department would like to welcome our student-athletes to the 2021-22 season. If you need to reach our department you can call 614-921-7330 or email the following:
Jennifer Miller – Athletic Secretary: Jennifer_Miller@hboe.org
Chris Ludban – Athletic Director: Chris_Ludban@hboe.org
Jay Smith – Assistant Athletic Director: Jay_Smith@hboe.org
Be sure to check out the Hilliard Darby Athletic Department Website for important information throughout the year. Coaches information, schedules, rosters, important documents, and any other athletic information that you may need is listed on our website. If you need access to our Athletic Handbook please click here: 2021-22 Athletic Handbook .
We will once again use Final Forms for our student-athlete managing system. Final forms will house all student data for athletic purposes, (i.e. physicals, forms, pay to play, and eligibility.) We need all parents to follow the directions of Final Forms Instructions to create an account. Scroll to Registration and then you will see 3 links, please choose accordingly.
Just a reminder that all athletes are required to have a current physical PRIOR to the first practice! Students will not be permitted to practice if they don’t have a current physical already on file or in their possession at the first practice. Physicals are good for one year from the exam date. Completed physical forms can uploaded to your Final Forms account. You can download a copy of your physical in Final Forms and print the physical to take to your doctor to sign.
Athletic participation fees ($100 for high school & $80 for middle school) are due prior to the first regular-season game. These fees can be paid online, after August 1st, via www.mypaymentsplus.com, with cash or check in the Athletic Office, or at Darby Days. Coaches are not permitted to accept these payments. Students who qualify for free lunch status will have their participation fee waived. Students who qualify for reduced lunch will have ½ their participation fee waived.
Tickets to all athletic contests this year will all be electronic. There will be no cash sales at the events or presale. Persons wanting to purchase a ticket can do so through our box office: Hilliard Darby/Hilliard Heritage Box Office. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting an All-Sport Season Pass. This pass is good for all home events at Darby and Heritage for the 21-22 school year. All tickets this season are $7.00 + service fees for H.S. events and $5.00 + service fees for M.S. events. There are also instructions in the box office for further ticket sale information.
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