Dear HA Families,
Due to Governor Cooper’s ban on mass gatherings of more than 100 people, HA will be closed effective immediately and continuing through March 27th. This difficult decision has been made in order to slow the spread of the COVID19 virus. The HA Leadership team, in cooperation with the Board of Trustees has determined that it is time for HA to transition to online/distance learning for that same period of time. If this period needs to be extended, we will communicate that as soon as possible.
Our plan is for teachers to work together on Monday and Tuesday to create learning packets or online assignments. These will be distributed to students via e-mail or Google classroom beginning on Wednesday. Please read carefully the following plans for making this transition as smooth as possible. If you would like to add e-mail accounts to your parent web account, you can call the school between the hours of 9 to 3, and Mrs. Clay will be glad to assist you.
- The buildings will be open at 8 am on Tuesday, March 17th and remain open until 5:00 pm to allow all students and parents to come to school and retrieve their belongings. Students should take ALL materials home including textbooks, notebooks, school supplies, computers and computer accessories, lunch boxes, athletic gear, etc. PK parents should retrieve blankets and personal belongings as well. Tuesday will be your ONE OPPORTUNITY to get everything you need, so please do so carefully. Treat this as you would the summer clean-out of cubbies, gym lockers, and lost and found items. Hopefully, we will be back in two weeks and everything on campus will be beginning-of-the -year clean and fresh.
- Tuesday will NOT be a time to meet with teachers. All faculty members will be in faculty planning sessions throughout the day to coordinate and refine plans to deliver instruction remotely. I promise that you will receive all the information you need and have the opportunity to ask any questions you have in the coming days. Staff members will be on hand to assist you as you retrieve your belongings, but they may not be your child's teachers.
- If your child has medication stored at the front desk, please see Mrs. Clay so that you can take it home with you. If you do not think you will need it, we will keep it locked up as always.
- There will be NO on-campus activities between March 16th and March 27th. This includes classes, tutoring, and team and individual practices. The ACT that was scheduled to be administered for juniors on March 24th is being rescheduled to a later date.
- Teachers will be working together with administrators on Monday and Tuesday to coordinate schedules and refine the delivery of instruction during this period. Instruction will begin for students on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH. For some, that will mean learning packets. For others, that will mean online instruction or a combination of both of these. It will be very much dependent upon grade level, subject area, and individual needs. Parents and students will receive information from their teacher by Wednesday about what to expect once the transition takes place and to answer any questions you have. Please do not worry (and do not let your children worry). We will all be on hand to support students in their learning from home. We know that there will be computer problems, lack of internet, and a myriad of problems and questions as we move forward, but we will work through all of those together and ensure that no one gets left behind. Please check your emails daily and know that if it is coming from school, it is important. This is how we will stay connected until we all get back together.
Thank you for all of your support and helpful input during this unprecedented time. We know how difficult this period will be for working families, local businesses, our healthcare system......our entire community. I have such faith in the HA community to dig deep and to reach out to help each other get through these times. Please do not hesitate to let us know how we can help you.
Sincerely,
Mike Ferguson
