Coronavirus

We have had great success in reaching many of our families with our first set of learning resources and are now ready to support students with our second set of resources.

The United Way of King County has several resources to help families during this time including rental and utility assistance, food services, unemployment services, childcare, transportation and more. 

Please read this joint message from Highline Public Schools and the Highline Education Association sent to all staff on April 2. 

If you or a staff member you know of has tested positive for COVID-19 and has NOT had contact with staff or students since schools closed on March 13, you do not need to report this to the school district. If you are reporting to work at a school district site please follow these steps. 

Thank you for supporting families with distance learning, technology, meals, communication and childcare for health workers during this unprecedented time. Here's how many meals and devices you put in the hands of students so far.

In a new webinar, Dr. Marc Brackett shares an overview of seven evidence-based strategies for regulating emotions at home during this time.

As our use with Zoom increases each day, we have found an issue where uninvited guests can access your meeting—this is called “zoom bombing." Learn how to prevent this from happening to your call.

Our TLL specialists have been working hard the past few days to create a Canvas course full of resources to support teachers in their distance learning planning.  In this course, you will find resources for math and literacy aligned to the standards we need to prioritize for this year’s learning. 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed and signed into law on March 19, 2020. The Act provides for two paid leaves available to employees in response to the coronavirus epidemic.

With our new reality, we wanted to reach out to offer additional resources and support to you as we begin to navigate how to provide distance learning to all of our DL students.

Here are some free and low-cost internet options for families.

Learn more about the distance learning plan and support available to staff. 

Read this message about communicating with students and families, sent jointly from Highline Public Schools and the Highline Education Association. 

The school closure has brought a lot of change for all of us working in Highline. Some Highline staff continue to work on-site, others are adjusting to working from home, but all are working in new ways. That means we have to pay special attention to maintaining relationships with each other, our students and our families. Here are some reminders about how our conduct while working at home impacts the community in which we work--and where many of us live. 

Times of crisis, particularly when people are in close quarters, can lead to an increase in domestic abuse. Resources are available 24/7, and domestic violence programs across our state are working tirelessly to help people plan for their safety. You are not alone. Help is a call or chat away.

To support our ability to deal with these changes in a positive manner, and to continue making progress on our goals during this time, we will be sharing a few brief wellness strategies each week.

OSPI has changed its position on educational services during this school closure. The new guidance is that education must continue during the closure. Our Teaching, Learning & Leadership team is working on a plan for distance learning. More information is coming next week. 

Many of you have asked how you can support our students and families during the school closure. Here are some opportunities for staff. 

Governor Inslee announced an order for Washingtonians to stay at home, except for essential activities, effective immediately. Read a message from Superintendent Susan Enfield sent to all staff on March 23, 2020.

The Highline Schools Foundation is accepting monetary donations to purchase supplies for the childcare centers we are opening during the school closure.

Review these instructions to block or unblock caller ID when using your personal cell phone. 

Here is an update for staff about team collaboration platforms and expectations to return phone calls. 

Wondering why our district is offering childcare when schools have been closed? Like a lot of things in this public health crisis, it doesn't seem to make sense on the surface.

Employees who are at higher risk for severe illness, according to CDC guidelines (see list at bottom) are not expected to physically report to a worksite in order to perform the following tasks. 

As we move into this new phase of operating our system remotely as much as possible, I am mindful of the essential staff members who are still on the job. I recognize that these individuals have the same concerns about their families and their own health as we all do, yet they continue to show up and serve.