Insider News

Moving teachers after the start of the school year is always difficult, but every year we have to reassign a few teachers from schools that have fewer students than expected to those that have more.

This year, the pandemic has made enrollment even more difficult to predict. Student numbers are down overall, and more families are choosing remote learning as the pandemic continues. 

We  have reached an agreement with Teamsters Local 763, regarding Governor Inslee’s mandate for all K-12 employees to  verify vaccination by October 18.

As a condition of employment, most Teamsters III staff and some classified positions are required to maintain current certification for First Aid and CPR. Need your certification? Start the asynchronous learning and sign up for a skills session.

The University of Washington-Tacoma's Educational Administration Program is an acclaimed, highly rigorous, one-year, cohort-based program that prepares leaders to create the schools our children need. Attend a virtual informational session to learn more.

On Thursday, September 23 many teachers can receive a donation match on their DonorsChoose projects. Submit your projects today to benefit from this funding opportunity. 

From bow to stern, the new Highline High School is drawing Pirate praise. "It's gorgeous. And that's an understatement," says Scott Logan, district chief of operations. “We’ve been flooded with positive early reactions from staff, students, community and alumni to the beautiful rebuild of a school with nearly 100 years of history, delivered on time and within budget."

We have a few open seats on our community-led Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC). Add your name to the lottery by September 26 if you live in Highline and are serious about helping prioritize 11 older schools for future bonds.

We have answers to questions about our return to in-person learning this fall. The questions were generated during and after the informational webinar for families regarding the start of school. We have posted answers to the questions rated as most important by participants.

Last month, more than 2,300 Highline staff engaged in the 4th Annual Highline Equity Symposium, including 45 breakout sessions. All slide decks and handouts from those sessions are now available on the Staff Hub.

This week, we experienced a delay in updating our COVID dashboard, which shows all reported positive COVID cases in our schools. Our practice is to update the dashboard every 24 hours. 

In the last week, our COVID response team has reported that posting new cases has taken longer than 24 hours for two reasons.

Our fall testing window for SBA/WCAS will be September 27 through November 10.  This is required of all students in testing grades, unless they have specific accommodations that do not require state testing.

Become a 2021-22 school year Cooperating Mentor! Cooperating Mentors are an invaluable part of developing future educators through hosting student interns. Cooperating Mentors provide ongoing feedback and evaluations, share their expertise in classroom management and instruction

Retired Highline bus driver Terry Wilbur passed away Friday, September 3. Terry's wife, Jana Wilbur, is a current staff member on our Nutrition Services team. Our deepest condolences go out to Jana and all Terry's family and friends.

The Washington Legislature has strengthened teacher and administrator recertification with requirements for equity-based school practices. The requirement becomes effective for applications submitted beginning July 1, 2023. Clock hour opportunities will be updated in November.

Check out  work expectations for Family Engagement Day on September 13. This is a non-student day.

The SEBB Program is offering employees extra flexibility with their 2020 and 2021 Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) funds. These changes are allowed under the federal COVID-19 relief bill that passed in December 2020. They apply through December 31, 2021. Here is a summary of the changes.

Our local education levy is up for renewal on November 2. Learn what this means and how to provide accurate information to families and community members with our levy toolkit for staff.

In this video message, Superintendent Susan Enfield looks ahead at her 10th and final year at Highline Public Schools. Dr. Enfield assures families, students and staff that together we can create a safe, happy, healthy school year. Let's go, Team Highline!

We're back! Day One of the 2021-22 school year is officially in the books. Students and staff celebrated the long-awaited homecoming with 'smeyes' (smiling with your eyes), air hugs and fist bumps. Watch our first-day-of-school video and read a special message to families, students and staff from Superintendent Susan Enfield. 

If you are injured on the job, it is important to immediately inform your supervisor and follow these steps.
 

A public records request was submitted on August 25 by Data Research Partners requesting district employee information. 

The Highline Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Department is committed to engaging in culturally responsive SEL that aligns with our students and families across the communities we serve. Read an update on how Highline is using RULER after the departure of Dr. Dena Simmons from Yale University.

Free breakfast, free lunch, full bellies! During the 2021-22 school year, all enrolled students can participate in their school’s breakfast and lunch program at no cost. Read information about meals for students--and find out how staff can set up a MealTime account to purchase meals in the cashless system.

We are welcoming many new principals and other leaders this year. Here is a who’s who of who’s new (or in a new role).