Insider News

This week we announced our plans to bring elementary and more students with special needs back into school buildings, beginning March 1. Why now and why March 1? Superintendent Susan Enfield answers that question. 

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. 

Shooting high-quality video has never been so easy. Thanks to cameras on smartphones and laptops, everyone can create videos.

We take data privacy seriously in Highline. The Digital Tool Review Committee conducts a rigorous vetting process to ensure all digital tools used with students and staff are safe and secure. What does the committee consider when vetting tools?

Highline Virtual Academy is launching this fall for students in 6th through 12th grade, and we could not be more excited! The home office for the academy will be located at the Olympic Site in Des Moines. 

As we continue to adapt to the tenuous context of this school year, it’s important to keep in mind that these conditions are historical and extraordinary, and that we have deep funds of knowledge to draw upon to build and teach resilience skills. Below are two resources to help us survive and thrive in our classrooms and communities amidst uncertainty. 

Educators can join Headspace for free to learn the essentials of meditation and mindfulness. Headspace is an online tool that provides short videos of exercises and meditation on everything from stress to sleep. 

​​Board Procedures 3132 and 3141, dealing with transfers, were recently updated to better serve our families. The transfer application window is now open longer. For the 2021-22 school year, the window for families to request a transfer is open from January 1 to May 26, 2021. 

On December 16, 2020, the School Board approved Policy 4218 Language Access Plan and procedures. This policy and procedures codifies the interpretation and translation guidance already existing in Highline. Take a moment to read through the policy and join a drop-in session on January 21 or 27.

Cash out your extra sick leave days during the month of January for days accumulated during 2020. If you have extra days, fill out the Cash Out Form and submit it by January 29.

The Presidential Inauguration is next Tuesday. In our tumultuous political climate, you may be thinking about how to prepare for events that may play out over the weekend or next week.

Our Highline social studies specialist Lexi Samorano has put together a Canvas course filled with resources for grades Pre-K through 12.  

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.

Highline was mentioned several times in the news this week from KNKX to CNN. CTO Mark Finstrom brags about our IT Team, McMicken Heights Teacher Jaymie Torres Ibarra shares how she processes current events with students, Superintendent Enfield urges our state legislatures to prioritize education staff for the vaccine and our new Maritime High School is highlighted.

We are aware that widespread power outages are affecting student learning today. Please refer to our guide on power and internet outages for information on how to continue learning

Highline Schools Foundation knows there may be some resources that teachers and staff members need to be successful, especially this school year. The Foundation is running a second Excel Mini Grant process! They are offering grants up to $500 to help teachers and staff obtain the resources they need for distance and hybrid learning.

You are invited to an optional staff webinar on Tuesday, January 12 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.to learn about our plan to phase in elementary in-person learning  The staff webinar will be broken into two parts: an all-staff webinar followed by breakout rooms.

Superintendent Enfield urges us to make this an opportunity to engage students in conversations about how we can disagree with out divisiveness. Watch her video message and find resources to support this work. 

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.

Save us time and money by going paperless! Click through to find out how to opt out of mailed W2 and 1095-C (ACA) forms. Your forms may be available earlier than those receiving paper copies.

Apply for a grant from the Southwest King School Retirees’ Association. School employees can request up to $400 for projects that directly benefit students. 

On January 6, the school board approved Policy 4300 - Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Schools, which turns our existing practices into policy. 

State law allows for sick leave cash out to be available annually during the month of January, but only for days accumulated during the preceding year. If you have extra days, fill out the Cash Out Form and submit it by January 29.

Step 1: Report the injury immediately to your supervisor. Click through for the following steps. 

Author Dr. Patricia Jennings hosts a three-part series that takes you through her new book, “Teacher Burnout Turnaround Strategies for Empowered Educators.” Join her via Zoom on January 12, 19 and 26 at 5:30 p.m.

Happy New Year  and welcome back! We hope each of you had an opportunity to take some much deserved time to rest and rejuvenate. As we embark on 2021, adult wellness will continue to be incredibly important.