HILLSBOROUGH RESPONDS

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Dear Families,

The first day of school is finally here. We’re starting in a way that’s unorthodox, but not entirely unfamiliar for most of our families who participated in eLearning in the Spring. I know you will find that our district, schools, and teachers have put a lot of work into improving the rigor and structure of eLearning and are ready to provide your students with a world class education. I encourage you to become familiar with our eLearning Guiding Document which outlines, in detail, our district’s eLearning structure.

Smart Start Week begins tomorrow and lasts through August 28. During this time, all our students will be eLearning. The first week of school is always important, and this one is no different. It’s a time for our students and families to become familiar with Canvas and to learn the expectations of their school and teachers. Attendance will be mandatory. Please watch the video below for more information about Smart Start Week.

I have been visiting many schools across the district these past few weeks and I am impressed with how organized and efficient they have been with handing out devices and making sure all our learners are signed up for the appropriate classes. This has been no small task. Thank you to our principals and administrators for excelling at this daunting task.

I am excited to get this year started and have the opportunity to see our amazing teachers, staff and students at work.

Together, we will make the 2020-2021 school year a success.

Respectfully,

Addison G. Davis

Superintendent of Schools

If you are a parent who chose brick and mortar for your student, you may be wondering about the importance of that first week of school when all students will be eLearning.

This first week is important for your student. Smart Start Week is as critical for students heading back to the classroom on August 31 as it is for those continuing with eLearning.

Please watch the video below as Superintendent Davis explains why Smart Start Week is important and mandatory for every learner.

Canvas is our new learning management system that replaced Edsby.

It is important that all our families and students are comfortable with Canvas regardless if they will be returning to brick and mortar or continuing with eLearning.

We want to make the transition to Canvas as simple as possible.

We have created a Family Guide as well as a Student Guide that will walk you through the process of signing up and show you what Canvas can do!

Family Guide

Student Guide

For questions regarding technology— password resets, account access or Canvas and Clever: 813-272-4786

• For Hillsborough Virtual K-12 813-983-7278

• Questions regarding school choice options and magnet programs 813-272-4692

• Mental health supports 813-272-4787

• General Questions 813-272-4788

There are some changes to the Grab-and-Go meal distribution for the 2020-2021 school year.

Our district will continue to provide students with nutritious meals regardless of whether they are eLearning or back in the classroom. However, beginning August 24, only students enrolled in Hillsborough County Public Schools will be eligible for Grab-and-Go meals.

Due to state law, students enrolled in Hillsborough Virtual K-12 or any other virtual platform other than eLearning via your child's assigned school will not be eligible to receive a meal from Student Nutrition Services.

August 24 – 28 – Smart Start Week

During Smart Start Week, all of our students will be eLearning. Grab-and-Go meals will be provided at each of our schools on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

During that time, students will receive their meal for that day and the next day (except on Fridays). We ask, if at all possible, you go to your child’s enrolled school for these meals.

Students who receive free or reduced lunch will have these meals provided at no cost. However, students not on free or reduced lunch will be charged $2.25 for elementary students and $2.75 for secondary students.

We will not be accepting cash from eLearners at the school site. Instead, we ask that you pay using MyPaymentPlus, or by taking a payment to the office of the school site at which your child is enrolled.

August 31st – eLearning & Classroom Learning

Beginning August 31st, as many of our students make the transition back to the classroom, we will continue to offer Grab-and-Go meals to our eLearners only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Beginning August 31st, our eLearners are encouraged to go to their enrolled school to pick up their Grab-and-Go meals.

Click here to apply for your 2020-21 free school meal benefits! It’s quick, confidential and easy.

School is going to look a little different for our learners headed back to the classroom August 31. Our schools and teachers are working very hard to make sure each student has their own supplies or supplies that are shared will be sanitized often.

Here are a few simple reminders for parents as we head back to the classroom:

• If you can, please label your child's supplies and their masks, especially for our younger learners. This may help with any confusion over whose supplies are whose;
• Parents and guardians are not allowed on campus at this time - that means no walking children to class on the first day. Please make sure your child's name and homeroom teacher is written on their book bags;
• Water fountain use will be limited. Please make sure your child brings a bottle of water with them to school. Our schools will have a supply of bottled water on hand for students.
• Please be mindful of what you pack in your younger students' lunches. Make sure your child can open their food items by themselves.
• Make sure your child knows how they are getting home from school and communicate this with their teacher.

The School Board approved the Superintendent’s Innovative Reopening Plan on July 23, which offered three options for parents. Part of the reopening plan includes a requirement that all persons on school campuses – including students, staff and visitors – must wear a face covering. The school district’s mandate to require face coverings is based on guidance from the CDC and the Florida Department of Health. Authorities agree that face coverings are one of the most effective means for preventing the spread of COVID-19.

We are sensitive to the unique challenges that this requirement may have for the school setting; however, we believe it is an important strategy that can be implemented as an additional layer of protection for everyone on our campuses. There are approved exemptions to the face covering mandate, including:

• when eating or drinking;
• when a face covering would cause an impairment due to an existing health condition (medical certification required);
• during observance of social distancing in accordance with CDC guidelines;
• during communication with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing and when that person needs to see the mouth to better understand;
• during limited class periods when a face covering would be an impediment to targeted learning (e.g., phonics instruction, sound-symbol relationships) and;
• when outdoors with social distancing.

In order for a student to claim an exemption due to an existing health condition, the district will require medical certification from a licensed health care provider that the student has a medical, physical or psychological condition that prevents the student from being able to safely wear a face covering, and description of the medical reason.

All students are expected to follow face covering requirements while in school or school sponsored activities/events for the health and safety of themselves, school staff, and others. In instances where reusable masks are left at home, a disposable mask will be provided for the day.

Absent an approved medical exemption, students who do not comply will be reminded of the requirement. If a student refuses to comply, they will be sent home and will be required to receive their educational instruction via remote learning.

Medical Exemption Form

Email: newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Website: HillsboroughSchools.org
Location: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch