COVID-19

I hope this letter finds each of you well. This has been a challenging year for everyone in our learning community. Although none of us would ask for a pandemic to test our strength and character, it has nevertheless been revealing. There have been so many examples of students, staff, teachers, parents, and community members working hard to support each other.With your support we were able to navigate this unprecedented time and continue in-person teaching and learning through the end of the 1st semester.

 

We believe that Highland Prep is the safest place for our students to be due to our mitigation plan and the dedicated work of our administration, teachers, and staff.This belief is consistent with Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) guidance as well.

 

We continue to share the numerous reasons why staying open for in-person learning is important for students. Our data shows that many of our students have been more academically successful in the in-person setting and Highland Prep provides a safe learning environment. In addition, with in-person learning, we are able to provide opportunities for social connections and consistent routines that are important to many students and families.

 

Our data also shows that students and staff are not spreading COVID-19 at school. However, case counts in the community have risen dramatically over the past several weeks. The increase in community cases has affected the students and staff who attend and work at Highland Prep. Based on our experience after Thanksgiving, we anticipate that the number of cases will continue to rise after Winter break.This belief is shared by Maricopa County Department of Public Health as well.

 

With this in mind, we will begin the second semester with all of our students participating in our virtual learning model. Highland Prep students will learn virtually beginning January 4, 2021 with a targeted return date to in-person learning of January 19, 2021. This short-term virtual learning period will allow families who may have come in contact with people from outside their immediate household to quarantine. This plan positions Highland Prep to begin the second semester on stronger ground. If we do not do this, we greatly increase our risk of not providing in-person teaching and learning opportunities for a longer period of time during the second semester.When our school returns to in-person learning, families will still have the option to continue distance learning from home. It is heartening to know that HP’s students, families, and our education team have been able to creatively work through the myriad of challenges we’ve faced since this pandemic began. HP students have worked hard to finish their classes. They have participated in-person and via distance–learning, through live streaming. They have participated in group activities, completed labs, learned programming, robotics, and anything else asked of them in each of their respective courses and clubs.

 

We are so proud of our students as they continue to strive toward their goals. HP students have struggled through adversity, found their resolve, and will be forever strengthened as they continue to triumph over these challenges. We understand that this temporary change will not be easy for some students and parents. We are notifying you today however, so that you have as much time as possible to make necessary arrangements. 

 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. 

 

Warmly,