A Letter from Principal Drummond

Dear Hill Community,

We hope all of our families are enjoying their time together right now. While there is still much uncertainty surrounding the fall semester, I wanted to give everyone a brief update on what we do know.

Last week, the district sent information to our Austin community on some guidelines for the reopening of our AISD schools. That information includes a limited capacity of students on campus daily, procedures while on campus, and steps to follow if anyone is suspected of or confirmed to have COVID-19. You can check out the latest Summer Vision 2020 for more information.

Austin ISD has also emailed all families a survey link to provide information on where you are right now in terms of your comfort level and preparedness with different possible scenarios.  We highly encourage you to complete the family survey. For assistance with the survey, please email survey@austinisd.org. It is such important information for us to have in terms of planning. Thank you for taking the time to complete this! You can expect others as we get closer to school with more information at hand.

As you can imagine, this preliminary information will have a big impact on how Hill School will operate, at least to begin the year. Safety will continue to be our utmost priority. Larger school gatherings like assemblies or cafeteria lunch time will not be taking place for the time being. Arrival and dismissal will be very controlled to ensure that appropriate distancing and contact is limited for students and staff who return to campus. Obviously, more information will be shared as we continue to plan in the coming weeks. Updates will include schedules for different scenarios, daily procedures, and other important information as we plan for a truly unique semester. Flexibility will be the key as we allow for the need to move between models at any point that it becomes appropriate. For those parents who may not feel comfortable sending their student(s) to school depending on a number of factors, please know we will have a detailed plan for virtual learning as well. We know that will be the necessity for many for understandable reasons.

You can expect more updates and a more interactive Principal Coffee in the future as we receive more information and develop a strategic plan. While there is still much unknown, please be assured we will constantly consider the health of our students and staff above all else. Tell our Dillos that Mr. Drummond wants to hear about their reading and adventures once we see them again in August! Have a great weekend, everyone.

Principal Drummond