Dear School Town of Highland Staff, Students, and Families,

Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility following the destructive storms that have impacted our schools and community. We recognize that this storm has affected far more than our school buildings. Many of our families and staff members are dealing with tremendous stress, property damage, power outages, food loss, cleanup, disrupted childcare and work schedules, and other unexpected challenges at home.

Our tentative schedule remains the following: teachers will report for professional development on Monday, August 24, and students will report for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 25. We will keep you informed if there are any changes or updates to this tentative schedule.

As of Tuesday, August 18, we currently have power at the Central Office, Highland High School, Highland Middle School, Merkley Elementary School, and Warren Elementary School. Both Johnston Elementary School and Southridge Elementary School are still without power at this time.

Trying to start school too quickly while families and staff are still managing these losses could create additional and unnecessary stress. Giving our Highland community these few additional days allows families and staff to address immediate needs while our district team works to make sure our schools are truly ready for students.

Here’s why we need this additional time:

Assess and address storm-related damage in our buildings and on our grounds.
Restore and test phone systems.
Restore Internet and network connectivity.
Ensure security cameras and other safety systems are fully operational.
Get coolers, refrigeration, and food-service equipment working properly.
Receive food deliveries and prepare our kitchens.
Clean, organize, and prepare classrooms and common areas.
Confirm that our buildings are safe and ready to welcome students.
Ensure the safety of walking conditions for our students traveling to their bus stops and the driving conditions for our bus drivers.

While we prepare our buildings for students to return, our commitment to our families does not stop at our school doors. As buildings and utilities become safe and operational, we will communicate opportunities for assistance.

Back-to-school nights have also been tentatively rescheduled. All elementary back-to-school nights are currently planned for Monday, August 24. Please visit our website - highland.k12.in.us - for the elementary schedules. Highland Middle School has its back-to-school night scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, at 5:30 p.m., and Highland High School’s will be on Thursday, August 27, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

If your Highland High School student attends the Area Career Center (ACC), please continue to check your messages from HHS for further updates.

We plan on sending another update regarding the start of school on Friday, August 21. Thank you very much to all of our STOH staff for their hard work in cleaning up our schools and preparing for our students to come back to school. We sincerely look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to our buildings as soon as it is safe to do so.

Regards,

John Schwuchow, Ph.D.

Incoming School Town of Highland Superintendent