Latest News

We continue to monitor COVID activity data published by Public Health - Seattle & King County. As of the time of this posting, King County continues to experience a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. 

State public health authorities have recommended that schools begin phasing in young students in small groups for in-person learning. Highline will join about 20 other school districts in the Puget Sound region and begin to bring our youngest learners back to school buildings in a hybrid model.

As we kick off the new year, we want to put a renewed focus and investment on your wellness. Today we are re-launching HPS Wellness. Twice a month, we will share simple wellness techniques for us to learn and practice as a community.

“The technology levy is critical for everyone in our community. If approved, it will benefit students, families and educators,” says Jairo Garcia, teacher at Hazel Valley Elementary School. Learn more about his thoughts and experience during Distance Learning.

Read our family message sent via email and text on October 22. It includes information on flu vaccine clinics and a news media report on the Highline tech levy.

Teaching preschool students with special needs requires training, talent and heart in the classroom, let alone remotely. It also requires technology. Mount View paraeducator Christi Dickerhofe let us photograph her at work in her home office and shared her thoughts!

A week ago, Superintendent Enfield announced that our schools would remain in distance learning through the end of the first semester on January 28--with the exception of students with the most profound special needs.

Remember the Tech Levy Town Hall is October 12, and the Family Webinar Update on Learning is October 15. Zoom links included.

Superintendent Susan Enfield gives an update on Distance Learning. "After much careful deliberation, the board and I have made the decision that Highline will remain in full distance learning for the first semester of this year." 

There will be an optional staff webinar on Monday, October 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. This webinar is a voluntary opportunity to hear updates and learn about our thinking and planning efforts in support of a future return to hybrid. 

Highline is facing budget cuts for the current year because our revenue is down. Find out why.

Our plan to bring staff and students in ILC classrooms back to school buildings is on pause for now. We had targeted October 8 as a return date. Then we learned that guidance on PPE for staff could be changing. Updated guidance was issued earlier this week. We will keep staff and families informed. 

We've had several Zoom bombings within the last week. We want to remind you of these steps to safeguard your meetings and class time.

You may have heard that a few school districts in other counties are starting to bring students back part-time in groups. This is possible in areas where COVID transmission rates are sufficiently low.

We are carefully watching COVID data in King County and working closely with Public Health. We will continue to prioritize the safety of staff and students.

We launched a Thoughtexchange for staff after the first week of school to learn what went well for you and where you need additional support. Your message came across loud and clear: you are working harder than you ever have before!

Teacher-librarian Karen Smith of Des Moines Elementary School needs to continue working from her home, rather than her classroom for her parent's sake. She shared some thoughts with us about Distance Learning this fall and the need for technology. Read her story here.

The City of Burien is partnering with Highline Public Schools and Comcast to connect up to 1,500 eligible Highline students in Burien with free internet for 12 months.

Help us continue to plan for fall by filling out a survey. Your answers will inform workforce planning efforts across Highline

Highline Schools Foundation is helping the district work to ensure that all families have access to broadband internet service when schools open this fall in full distance learning. Find out how to help.

Our second optional staff webinar will be this Wednesday, July 29. This webinar remains a voluntary opportunity to hear updates and learn about our current thinking as we plan to ‘Return to Learn’ in a fully distant model this fall. Please see below for your employee group times, as well as Zoom links for the corresponding webinars

I have been fiercely hoping to have our students back in our schools this fall because I recognize that physical connection is a significant part of knowing our students by name, strength and need. 

Please read this all staff message from Superintendent Susan Enfield about fall 2020 planning. 

Based on feedback from staff, students, families and leaders, as well as guidance from OSPI, we have selected learning platforms for our hybrid model, which includes in-person instruction and distance learning.

Take the Washington State Food Security Survey to help Washington state understand how COVID-19 has impacted food security.

To support our planning for reopening schools this fall, we need to better understand your needs as we shift from remote work to returning to school buildings.  We have two upcoming opportunities for staff to learn more about our plans and to provide input.