Good Afternoon Highland CUSD 5 Families,
It has been a school year like no other. We have been in session 5 full weeks and are nearing the end of Quarter 1 which concludes Thursday, October 8. The end of the quarter opens the option for K-12 families to change their student’s learning environment from Remote to In-Person or from In-Person to Remote for Quarter 2. (Please note that Preschool for All students will remain in thir current environment for the entirety of the year).
We ask that only parents wishing to change do so in the form linked below. Please understand this selection will be in effect from Tuesday, October 13 through Tuesday, December 22.
We understood the many uncertainties and difficult decisions families were managing at the beginning of the year, and we were as responsive as possible to requests for changes during Quarter 1. However, those changes created many difficulties. During Quarter 2, building administrators will only consider learning environment change requests under extenuating circumstances. This form must be completed by a parent or guardian by September 25, 2020, at 4:00 PM for each student requesting a change.
For families wishing to CHANGE their current learning environment, please click the following link:
https://forms.gle/Gkvft9qKGz5ck9eT6
To access a letter from Highland CUSD No. 5, please use the following link: https://5il.co/lgm9
To access a letter from Highland CUSD No. 5, please click: https://5il.co/l62c
To access this week's update from Highland CUSD No. 5, please click: https://5il.co/ky1q
To access this week's letter from Highland CUSD No. 5, please click: https://5il.co/kmla
To access today's letter from Highland CUSD No. 5, please click: https://5il.co/ke0c
Perhaps a PDF would be better, sorry! Click here: https://5il.co/k1ee
Highland CUSD No. 5,
To access today's Letter to Parents, please click: https://5il.co/k1e8
Highland CUSD No. 5 Board of Education has a regular scheduled board meeting on Monday, August 24 at 6:00 p.m. Due to the COVID restrictions on group meetings, we are once again live streaming the meeting. The link to the live stream is: https://youtu.be/NMH8tXZ_TlA
For a day 1 recap and letter from Highland CUSD No. 5, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N-EgTDu8hR0YmWRLA1ZFBSBAosaQEsRInSMc3Zq9tHo/edit?usp=sharing
To see the recently released FAQ from the Illinois Department of Public Health, visit the district website or click: https://5il.co/jlu0
Please click the following link to access a press release from Highland CUSD No. 5: https://5il.co/jf40
Good afternoon,
All students electing in-person learning must have a parent sign the Self-Certification Form to hand in on or before the first day of school. To access the form, visit the district website or click here: https://5il.co/j7vr
#2 Access for Powerschool has been delayed from August 7th to August 10th. We need a few extra days to process remote learning requests before making class lists available. Thank you for your continue patience and support!
Good afternoon,
I have 2 updates for you: 1. The school calendar was amended so that August 17 will be the first student attendance day. August 13 and 14 will be remote learning planning days for staff only.
Good morning HCUSD No. 5
The Board of Education approved the District Return to School Plan last night and it is available on the district website at : www.highlandcusd5.org
Each building plan is linked within the district plan. Thank you.
For access to the Monday, July 27th board meeting live stream at 6 p.m., please use the following link: https://youtu.be/uyqNpZGL6c4
It appears my first post didn't make it through. So, the deadline to opt for remote learning is being extended to Wednesday, July 29th. The plan will be voted upon by the Board of Education on Monday night and published on the morning of Tuesday, July 28th. post#1
A summary of the parent survey is also available on the district website. Information will also be posted regarding a live stream of the Monday, July 27 board meeting. Please be patient as we try to share enough information for parents to make a very difficult decision. #2 post
Good afternoon,
Due to several questions being posed regarding the remote learning environment option, we have prepared a FAQ document. Please click the following to access: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JSAGLSCufXZ4YTwzqD47UO4ydIWJzPh1OQ2CfzqaYFs/edit?usp=sharing
To see the latest information on Highland CUSD No. 5 plans for Return to School, please click the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AZ9odB0dAlBodnC9oVDGjR1_mQzzbAAfVSkAC8GtNC0/edit?usp=sharing
Please click on the following link for a message from Highland Community Schools: https://5il.co/hh0n
This shouldn't come as a big surprise, but Governor Pritzker announced this afternoon that Remote Learning will continue through the end of the school year. Many issues need to be addressed as we move into May and beyond. Many announcements will be forthcoming.
Have you completed your Census Questionnaire yet? Visit MyCensus.gov - it’s easy!
Today is Census 2020 Day! Please be counted! Go to My2020census.gov and you can even complete the process using your smartphone. It's easy!
Please click the following link to access the latest HCUSD No. 5 communication regarding the Gov. Pritzker announcement today: https://5il.co/egi8
Please click the following link to access information regarding the Revised Food Distribution Plan: https://5il.co/e6hp
Thank you!
Huge thanks to our volunteers making food distribution possible! We will be ramping up efforts next week. Details to come!
As trivial as it sounds in this unprecedented time we are living, please remember to complete the Census 2020. You may have received the reminder in the mail. It is extremely important to complete this quick and easy process to ensure local resources continue to be available.
As a result of the Governor's announcement today at 3:00 p.m., please see the following information: https://5il.co/dzzj
Here's a nice video regarding the changes we are currently experiencing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OjjWh-8Iv0&feature=youtu.be
What is social distancing: https://5il.co/dy5y
I sent an email update on the COVID-19 situation to all families and staff at 1:15 p.m. on 3/18/2020. Please check the district website if you did not receive it. We will attempt to provide all updates via email and post to the website. Thank you for your ongoing patience!
My apologies, the offices are open this week with the exception of Friday. Because it was scheduled originally to be out of session, offices will be closed.
Each school office is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are expecting further restrictions on our ability to keep this schedule. It is likely building access will be more restricted next week. Details will be shared in the coming days.
We have been through a number of plans and revisions through this fluid situation. We hope to see some great exchanges between staff and students over the next couple of weeks. Our offices are staffed and ready to support these efforts for the remainder of the week.
Please understand, however, that this is new to all of us. Also, understand that we want to partner with families to do the best we can to engage students in the learning process, not create burdens for families.
Learning will certainly vary across the spectrum of grade levels and courses. Early grades will likely have paper-based materials, while middle and high school students may see a blend of paper and digital resources.
Below is the district’s schedule through March 30:
Monday, March 16 Student Attendance Day (normal schedule)
Tuesday, March 17 Teachers & Paras Report (TI Schedule to prep for student engagement days)
Tomorrow, March 16, will be the last student attendance day until at least March 31. The district is taking advantage of this day to ensure students have the appropriate learning materials and teachers have an opportunity to communicate instructions related to engaging students.
We hope to post all information on the district website in a timely manner. I just sent an email to all district families and staff regarding the schedule over the next couple of days. I will try to include the pertinent information in a series of posts following this post.
When communicating via FB, Twitter, Live Feed, etc. there are limitations on characters that challenge my ability to get large pieces of information out to stakeholders. I am using a variety of ways to communicate.
We are developing plans for a number of situations during the mandatory school closure. Please expect multiple communications over the next few days. We are creating a plan to keep kids engaged to the best of our ability given the circumstances.
Tentatively, our first day back in session will be Tuesday, March 31. We have many issues to address between now and Tuesday. On Monday, students will report to school and preparations will be made to implement our e-learning program.
Good afternoon Highland CUSD No. 5 stakeholders,
Today, Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered all public and private schools in Illinois to close from Tuesday, March 17, to Monday, March 30, 2020. Tentatively, our first day back in session will be Tuesday, March 31.
Please see
https://www.apptegy.net/s/news-highland-cusd-5/articles/letter-to-parents-covid-19
for the latest update from Superintendent Sutton regarding COVID-19 (Also www.highlandcusd5.org)
Due to expected wintery mix in the noon hour, Highland CUSD No. 5 will be closed today, January 17th. This is a difficult decision, but early dismissal creates many issues for many parents. Thank you and have a great day!
Good afternoon,
I encourage everyone to monitor the weather conditions tomorrow and have a plan should school be dismissed early. We will try to avoid early dismissal, but conditions may necessitate it. As always, safety will be our number one priority!
Update: The school parking lots and walkways are mostly clear right now, but refreezing tonight may present some slick areas tomorrow morning. Please be safe when walking and driving through our parking lots. Country roads are not great, but school will be in session tomorrow.
Our custodians and maintenance folks are working to clear parking lots and walkways today. There is a lot of snow so I am sure some areas will be a little tricky. We fully expect school to be in session tomorrow. Please dig your cars out and be prepared. Be safe!
I am getting questions about programs, activities, etc. Building administrators will be sending information regarding cancellations and reschedule dates. Thanks.
The previous message should have been December 17th. Sorry!
Good evening,
Highland Community Unit School District Number 5 will not be in session tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16. We are hopeful that school will be in session Wednesday through Friday. Have a great evening!
Highland CUSD No. 5 will not be in session tomorrow, Monday, December 16th due to the inclement weather.
Good evening,
Due to the dropping temperatures and hazardous road conditions, Highland CUSD Number 5 will not be in session tomorrow, November 12. Thank you.
VIP swag order form is now available.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz_72jPcjgWAUDk4Z3l1R0N2bWZjU3VjbFlLZlhHeHU3dUdB/view?usp=sharing
Congratulations Jackson Marchal, HHS Senior, for receiving the National Merit Scholar - Letter of Commendation Award and for your Eagle Scout Safety Project for Highland and St. Paul Schools.
Cederhurst Assisted Living donates back packs and school supplies for families in need. Superintendent Mike Sutton and Dena Hendricks accepted the donated goods on behalf of Highland CUSD No. 5.
Officer Flake speaking to our kids about school safety!
Good morning Highland CUSD No. 5.
This is a reminder that the registration window is open until July 20. Please be sure to complete registration for the 2019/2020 school year.
Students have been dismissed and buses will run several minutes late. Thank you for your patience! Safety is not always convenient, but I am hopeful all kids are safe due to the diligence of our staff. Thank you.
Due to ongoing weather conditions, buses may be running late as we try to navigate the severe storms passing through. Please be patient as we try to exercise caution in getting all kids home safely. Many kids are currently being held at school until it is safe to proceed.
I am pleased to recognize Camden M. as Superintendent's Student of the week! Camden has been an excellent role model for his peers and makes good behavioral decisions. Congratulations for being a valuable citizen at Highland Primary!
This is a final reminder for Kindergarten call in registration. If you have a child that will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2019, please call your school office, Highland Primary 618-654-2107 or Alhambra Primary 618-488-2200 so they can be included in the upcoming Kindergarten Visitation. Class lists will be created beginning next week. Thank you.
Due to the freezing drizzle and the timing of the current weather, Highland CUSD No. 5 will not be in session today, Thursday, February 28. This call must be made before buses get out on the roads and it is uncertain what the conditions will be in the next few hours. Thanks
Highland School District Foundation receives $500 donation from Bank of Hillsboro. Ben Eberwein presents the check to Superintendent Michael Sutton.
The Business Education Alliance works collaboratively with HCUSD No. 5. This meeting was hosted by Basler Electric!
Many districts experienced bus issues today resulting from the frigid temperatures yesterday and through the evening. Kudos to Highland's transportation company, First Student, for working through the night to get buses on the road this morning! Thanks to all at First Student!
Thank you to those of you right on top of my error in the date. Tomorrow is January 30th and we will still be out of school due to extreme temperatures:)
Due to the extreme temperatures expected tomorrow morning, school will not be in session on Wednesday, January 29, 2019. We fully expect classes to resume on Thursday. Thank you.
There seems to be some confusion about dismissal. Highland CUSD No. 5 is on regular schedule and will not be dismissing early. We are hopeful that all buses stay on normal schedule. If there are delays, we will be communicating appropriately.
If you recently received an email from MSB with a false student name stating "on behalf of Highland Power school Test" please disregard - MSB is testing and inadvertently sent those out - they will be issuing another statement sometime today. Please excuse the inconvenience.
The Santa Band plays carols for HP, HE, and HMS.
Highland Alumni Association donates $500 towards the coding class at Highland High School. Pictured is Sherry Fletçher, secretary of Highland Alumni Association, presenting the check.
Please pass the word. I hope everyone sees, hears, or watches the tv news. Sorry for the inconvenience. We hope to rectify the problem soon!
Hello again Highland CUSD No. 5,
It has come to my attention that the new messaging system is not making phone calls, texts, or emails. This means the message about the school closing tomorrow is only reaching those of you with the district app, twitter and/or Facebook.
Good evening, it is very uncommon to cancel school based on a forecast, but due to the timing and accumulation predictions, I have decided to cancel school for tomorrow, Thursday, November 15th. Please be safe and enjoy the day! Thank you.
In preparation for inclement weather, this is a TEST notification! If and when school is cancelled, a message would be sent via this method. It should also be located on the district website through the live feed. Thank you!
Our monthly incident command meeting with local Fire, EMS, and law enforcement to discuss safety and security of our schools. Great collaboration ensures safety of our students and staff.
Use the QR code to download the new Highland CUSD 5 app to stay in touch with school events.
Local superintendents meet with legislators to share thoughts and concerns on education issues. Pictured are Senator Paul Schrimpf and Representative Katie Stuart.
HHS at 6 a.m. on Friday morning! Pep assembly for the Bulldogs to go 9-0 against Charleston tonight. Good luck Bulldogs!
Wonderful Saturday morning working with many stakeholders to develop a strategic plan.
Just posted the Football Cheerleading Coach position. If interested apply online.
Hello HCUSD No. 5!
Welcome to Highland Community Schools
Serving the Communities of Highland, Alhambra, Grantfork, New Douglas, and Pierron.