Note: The model selection surveys will close at 4:30 p.m. on February 10. If you have not yet made a selection for your child or need to change your selection, please contact your child's school directly.
Dear Heights High and Options Program Families,
On January 28, the CH-UH Board of Education approved the District to begin in-person learning starting the week of February 16. This decision comes after the recent Cuyahoga County Board of Health guidance to schools stating that districts should consider moving to either a hybrid or 5 day per week instructional model by March 1, depending on their ability to align their mitigation strategies to the CDC and ODH guidance. The District has also committed to providing in-person learning by March 1 in order to receive vaccine distribution priority for our staff.
This timeline provides an overview of how we will start to transition to hybrid instruction. Please note the following:
- Student orientations for 9th graders and new Heights High students will be held on February 8. Principals will share further details.
- An orientation for Options Program students will be held on February 11. School leaders will share further details.
- High school students will phase in to in-person learning by grade level beginning on February 18. Principals will share details after February 4.
- In-person services for MD/AU students will begin the week of February 8.
We are now asking families to select what they'd like for their students - either attending school in a hybrid model beginning the week of February 16, or remaining fully remote. Note: Families who have children with low-incidence disabilities (MD/AU) will receive a separate email and phone call from the Student Services Department to learn their preferences for their children.
In the high school hybrid model, students would be split into two groups (“Heights” and “Tigers”) based on last name and would attend school in-person two days per week and learn remotely two days per week (either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday). Options students would attend either Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday. All students would learn remotely on Wednesday. On Wednesdays, students will participate in synchronous learning, following their daily schedule. Accommodations in the schedule will be made for families on a case by case basis by contacting the building principals.
In the high school hybrid model, teacher-led instruction will occur for both groups of students (Heights and Tigers) attending school on Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday. Students in this model will be expected to log into and/or physically attend their classes on time whether remote or at school, participate in the lessons, and complete assignments. Teachers will be able to offer various forms of instruction in the hybrid model including small groups, synchronous, and asynchronous activities. Equally important, students attending school in the hybrid model will also have the opportunity to resume social interactions with their teachers and peers in a physically distanced and safe environment.
Students in grades 9-12 remaining in the remote model will continue to follow their daily schedule and will continue to participate in asynchronous and live instruction via Google Meet and Google Classroom. They will also participate in concurrent instruction when possible. Concurrent means that teachers deliver instruction simultaneously for students who are learning in-person and students who are learning virtually at home. Wednesdays will be asynchronous days for all students.
To help inform your decision, please visit the Semester 2 Information Page on CHUH.org to find the District's Health & Safety Information document, building-level protocols and procedures, and the latest news and updates. Details regarding orientation events will be shared in the coming days.
Please submit your selection by Thursday, February 4. We ask that you commit to your selection through Quarter 3, which ends on March 19. You may choose to switch your instructional model choice for Quarter 4. If you have any questions, please contact your building principal. In the meantime, we will continue to consult with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health on our reopening plans and work to ensure a smooth transition into hybrid learning. I sincerely appreciate the continued collaboration of our staff and parents at all grade levels as we move forward in this next phase of instruction in Tiger Nation.
Best regards,
Superintendent Liz Kirby
Assistant Superintendent Felisha Gould