News from Hillandale

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Friday, August 14, 2020

Good afternoon Hillandale Families,

We are fortunate to have the opportunity to support our students’ learning this year with the option of district-issued laptops to access online education. Remember, all students in grades first through fifth grade at Hillandale will start school online on August 17 for a week of orientation to Hillandale online. Our process for device distribution for our students in third through fifth grades is now ready to begin. You will now find a link on our website, hillandale.dpsnc.net to sign up for students in third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade.

You are not required to collect a Chromebook for your students, however, as we work together to bridge the digital divide and support each of our students, we are thrilled to offer this option for our students. Our upcoming distribution cycle will be for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. If you would like to secure a laptop for your third, fourth, or fifth grade child, sign-ups are now available on the school website, hillandale.dpsnc.net when you click on “3-5 Grade Sign-up for Chromebook Pickup.” More about the precautions we are taking to keep you safe are described on the Sign-Up Genius. You may also view the instructional support video from our Super Tech Guru Mr. Kempf, who will walk you through the steps to get your Chromebook up and running at your own pace in the comfort of your own home. We will also message Hillandale Families when devices are processed for kindergarten.

Hillandale’s virtual open house for kindergarten families will be Wednesday, August 19, from 12-1 online. To keep your family safe but still get to see you, our virtual open house include a brief message from the administrative team. We will also confirm classroom assignments in the virtual open house. Then we will point you toward the kindergarten instructional team, and we will share general information about the classroom and become available face to face in a virtual breakout room. In the virtual open house, you will also hear about school supplies and the specifics of your child’s online learning day.

For all students, the first week of school will be part of a district-wide Orientation Week as decided by the Durham Public Schools Board of Education. You may notice that this week is similar to any other beginning week at school, where it is important for students to attend, and connect with their teachers to practice procedures, routines, and develop the stamina necessary to be ready for when core instruction begins. This is a less-intense way for our students to become acclimated to the new school environment. If your child has not received their Chromebook and needs one, your child will not be penalized for being unable to attend online class, but your child’s teacher will need to be able to reach your child, even if by phone, during the instructional day. Again, Hillandale is beginning real school, not optional, August 17 for first through fifth-grade students.

We look forward to seeing you! Have a great weekend!