Communications

Latest Update

January 8, 2021 - Update #31 - Subject: Reminders for Return to In-Person Learning

Dear HSSD Families and Staff,

With the start of something new comes the hope of something great.

As we contemplate the beginning of a new calendar year, further steps in our transition back to in-person learning lie ahead. Following a planned virtual learning buffer after the holiday break, we will resume our September schedule for HSSD students learning in-person beginning Monday, January 11. Grades 4K-4 will have a regular in-person daily schedule and grades 5-12 will resume in a blended virtual and in-person schedule. Principals have communicated schedule details unique to each of our schools.

We will apply what we have learned from these transitional steps to develop and communicate our plans for an all-day, every-day in-person learning option for students in the near future. Important work remains in front of us. The continued partnership of our families and community is crucial to maintaining safe environments for our students and staff.

Reminders:

All students and staff should continue to use the Frontline screening app each day before arriving at school. If you have not already done so, directions for download and use are linked on the HSSD website.
We have updated our COVID-19 Exposure Protocols document to reflect the new CDC guidance for 7 and 10-day quarantines when certain conditions have been met.
Please use the HSSD COVID-19 Hotline (920-662-7233) for questions or to report COVID-19 exposure and COVID-19 test results. The hotline voicemail is monitored daily by our student services and organizational development teams. Working in tandem with the exposure protocols, our hotline is a valuable resource for understanding how COVID-19 exposure or a positive test result will affect your family.
The CDC cites five mitigating strategies which HSSD will continue to employ and we encourage our families and staff to follow in any public setting: 1.) consistent and correct use of masks; 2.) social distancing to the extent possible; 3.) hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; 4.) cleaning and disinfection; and 5.) contact tracing in collaboration with the local health department.

In closing, as a history teacher and citizen, I am deeply troubled by the violence, death, and destruction at the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Virtue, civility, the rule of law, and a peaceful transition of power are hallmarks of our constitutional republic. Sadly, some did not live up to these basic expectations earlier this week. I am equally moved, however, by the leadership demonstrated in the wake of the violence, including our educators’ efforts to provide context, a forum for discussion, and a comforting, listening ear for concerned students. As this community seeks to support our students in processing recent events, please accept this link to resources posted on the HSSD website to guide conversations with your children.

In his last public speech, Patrick Henry declared, "Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs." May we consider this historical statement as we soberly reflect on the lessons of Wednesday - and embrace the challenges and opportunities of 2021.

With Unity,

Damian LaCroix
Superintendent
Howard-Suamico School District
damilacr@hssdschools.org
920-662-8103

HSSD Reopen Schools Q&A Videos

Episode 1: Leading and Learning in
a Pandemic

Expert: Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO of Prevea

Episode 2: HSSD Family Choice: Online Learning Plan

Expert: Mark Smith, HSSD Deputy Superintendent

To view the entire playlist of videos on YouTube, click here.

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