Hiking the  Post Pandemic “Ups and Downs” 

August 12th Update

Have you ever been on an extended hike where it seemed like the trail goes up….and then goes down…..and then goes up...and then goes down...it  sounds like a rollercoaster or a yo-yo….or the world recovering from Covid-19..or not!

In June, we all looked forward to the new school year ahead in September!  Numbers of new cases of Covid were in decline, the sun was shining, the planets and stars aligned…..and we fully anticipated a return to online curriculum, enriched with a  full schedule of on-site activities, and opportunities  with masks optional at school!

Now just over a week into August it seems that the school year ahead is still not a given “return to school as we knew it”, pre-covid. What does school at Hillsboro Online look like for September?   We do not have it 100% nailed down yet, but the following are what we do know! 

• We are staffed to meet the number of students enrolled

• All staff are HSD teachers with previous experience teaching online at HOA

• Our school is housed at 452 NE 3rd Street

• We have two new modular buildings….a total addition of 4 classrooms

• Our whole 1948 gymnasium has been seismically upgraded and a new ADA compliant bathroom has been built...thank you taxpayers!!!!

• Our core curriculum is Florida Virtual for grades K-12….no more Odysseyware

• Brand new electives are available for middle school and high school students through eDynamic Learning.

• High school students will be able to take some electives in their neighborhood school if there is space available

• We will be holding some opportunities and activities in-person! How many/much yet to be determined!

Currently we know that masks will be required for all persons inside our school, both vaccinated and unvaccinated….all persons are required to wear a mask inside. We also know that students must be spaced 3 feet apart. We know that many families are enrolled with us because of Covid 19. We wrestle with how many on-site activities we should provide for students this coming fall.  We would love to have students on-site all day/every day, but what about families that do not want their students on-site. We do not want their students to feel left out in any way.

Finally, we know that guidance for schools could change…..at any time…..

Here at HOA we do a staggered start to courses, with the week of September 7-10 set aside for orientations to online curriculum and get acquainted activities. Actual  courses will open up on September 13th.

The District sometimes sends out blanket mailings that may not apply to HOA.  The very best place to look for current information about dates and times for Hillsboro Online Academy are on our Website - www.hillonlineacademy.org 

Check back for new information.  We expect additional information soon.  Please know that we are here ready to answer any questions you may have…..if we have the answers! Give us a call at 503-844-1050 or email me at harringl@hsd.k12.or.us!

July 28th Update

Have you ever been on an extended hike where it seemed like the trail continually goes up….and then goes down…..and then goes up...and then goes down...it  sounds like a rollercoaster or a yo-yo….or the world recovering from Covid-19..or not!

In June, we all looked forward to the new school year ahead in September!  Numbers of new cases of Covid were in decline, the sun was shining, the planets and stars aligned…..and we fully anticipated a return to online curriculum, enriched with a  full schedule of on-site activities, and opportunities  with masks optional at school!

Now at the tail end of July, it seems that the school year ahead is still not a given “return to school as we knew it”, pre-covid. What does school at Hillsboro Online look like for September?   We do not have it 100% nailed down yet, but the following are what we do know! 

• We are staffed to meet the number of students enrolled

• All staff are HSD teachers with previous experience teaching online at HOA

• Our school is housed at 452 NE 3rd Street

• We have two new modular buildings….a total addition of 4 classrooms

• Our whole 1948 gymnasium has been seismically upgraded and a new ADA compliant bathroom has been built...thank you taxpayers!!!!

• Our core curriculum is Florida Virtual for grades K-12….no more Odysseyware

• Our Learning Management System is Canvas from Instructure

• Brand new electives are available for middle school and high school students through eDynamic Learning.

• High school students will be able to take some electives in their neighborhood school if there is space available

• We will be holding some opportunities and activities in-person!

Check back for new information.  We expect additional information soon.  Please know that we are here ready to answer any questions you may have…..if we have the answers! Give us a call at 503-844-1050 or email me at harringl@hsd.k12.or.us!