Insider News

We are developing a draft plan for returning to school this fall. There are many details to work out. You are invited to share your thoughts and questions in this staff Thoughtexchange.

Please read this message from Superintendent Susan Enfield about the 2019-20 school year and a preview of next school year. 

The 2019-20 school year brought circumstances none of us expected or imagined. The pivot to distance learning has been tough on students, families and staff. We are watching the world explode as we collectively face systemic racism. Just when we intensely feel the need to be together to process the events swirling around us, we are forced to keep our distance.

UW College of Education is working to offer support on current issues and how they relate to work in schools. Check out more information, resources and upcoming learning opportunities on their website.

The Highline Affinity Group Committee is continuing to develop the identity-based affinity group program. We acknowledge our staff of color disproportionately carry the burden of equity work, and affinity groups provide a space for staff to connect and talk through shared practices and experiences.

The long pattern of racist violence in America directed at African Americans persists--brutally and tragically. As we collectively build an anti-racist Highline Public Schools system, we are reflecting on our own practices and how we can dismantle white supremacy culture. The SEL skills of adults and students, and the school culture and climate in which they are developed, have immense impacts on learning, wellness and safety. The guiding principles of SEL, grounded in the whole child movement, were adopted into standards by OSPI in 2019.

As district workgroups ramp up the difficult and detailed work of planning school in the fall, we want to hear from staff, students and families. What are your big concerns about returning to school? Join our Thoughtexchange conversation.

As we work to enact our Equity Policy, HR is examining what it means to establish and promote anti-racist practice through the Student Teaching/ESA Internship Program. This year, we are prioritizing a redesign of the approval process to include institutional, internal and individual audits.

Register for the 2nd Annual Washington State Ethnic Studies Assembly on June 27. Hosted by the Washington Ethic Studies Now, learn how to advance anti-racist education and ethic studies in your classroom.

We have significant professional learning planned for 2020-21; however, we recognize that due to the current health crisis and the impact on students, the fall will require prioritizing the support of students’ social-emotional and academic progress. Based on this need, here is our plan for fall.

What type of strategy works best to help you manage your stress? For Maria Osses Watson, assistant principal at Hazel Valley Elementary, it’s breathing. Here’s Maria with this week’s wellness reflection. 

Highline Public Schools is conducting a public opinion survey in June to gather data that will help us learn the funding priorities and communication preferences of our community. This research is being conducted via cell, landline and text messaging.

See a message from Superintendent Susan Enfield about planning for Fall. 

Find out about a potential technology levy being considered for the November 2020 ballot to pay for devices, connection, security, support and training. 

This will be the last tech tips of the 2019-2020 school year. It is focused on technology integration pedagogy that is useful in making intentional choices for using technology to enhance instruction. 

Highline’s second cohort of bilingual teaching fellows graduated this spring. They celebrated together in a virtual event on June 8. This event recognized Cohort 2’s graduation and was a welcome to the new group of future bilingual teachers in Cohort 3. 

It's time to find a comfortable spot with your device to scroll through art created by Highline students. The Highline Visual Arts Show is going online! 

When our social, emotional, economic, safety and basic needs are impacted by the events of the world, it can be incredibly challenging to meet our goals, stay focused and be healthy. As we have highlighted in our #HPSWellness campaign, it is essential that we continue to invest in learning, practicing and sharing our wellness practices with our own families and communities.

We have all heard that deep breathing and movement reduce stress. Highline High School Co-Principal Tremain Holloway explains why and shares what he’s been doing to stay healthy.  

These are turbulent times, characterized by illness and injustice. In addition to the impact of COVID-19, recent events in Seattle and across the nation remind us all of the deeper and more lethal virus of racism and its impact. 

As an HR department, we recognize that our staff members may be feeling the cumulative effects of the multiple stressors we are facing. If you need assistance, we have resources to support you.

Online enrollment is now open to all students, including returning students and non-resident students. Parents and guardians of currently enrolled students can also update demographic information online.

For many of us, talking about race and racism with each other and our students can be stressful. Educators across our district are sharing helpful resources to guide these conversations.

At this time, remote work arrangements currently in place will continue through July 2020 unless modified based on state and county public health guidance. Check out closed dates for the Central Office in July.

We will offer several districtwide learning opportunities in August. All PD will complement learning that is planned for school teams. Please continue to check the PD calendar for learning opportunities.