Please complete the survey once for each student in grades K - 12.  

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The determination of the next step in the school district’s phased reopening plan has been challenging for the taskforce because of the realities that families face due to the hybrid schedule and the health risks the virus poses to our students, employees, and families.  Based on county incident reports, the virus is in our community with one confirmed case in our school district and potentially more asymptomatic cases.  To this point, the administration and staff have effectively managed the situation and the teachers have done an outstanding job providing the best possible education experience given the circumstances.  The hybrid schedule allows the school district to provide distance between students in the school bus, classrooms, and the cafeteria.  However, the hybrid schedule comes at an expense to students that do not learn well in a digital environment, families that struggle with childcare, and teachers that are providing instruction to students in multiple learning environments.

Beginning Monday, September 28, 2020, the school district will begin offering in-person classes five (5) days per week to all students and returning to our traditional weekly schedule with the Friday early dismissal.  We are asking parents to make the decision that is best for their family and child based on the child’s learning needs and risk tolerance.  There are many families that believe the hybrid schedule is working well for their child.  If the hybrid/blended learning environment is working well for your child and family, you are encouraged to continue the blended-learning schedule.  If you choose the blended environment, you are required to follow the full-time blended or A/B designation to help the administration manage transportation, class sizes, and lunch periods. Additionally, the Westmont Hilltop Cyber Academy is available to all students.  

You are required to provide a designation to the school district before Sunday, September 20, 2020.  You may change your child’s designation later in October for the beginning of Quarter 2 on November 2, 2020.  The learning environment choices are:
• Westmont Hilltop Cyber Academy
• Full-Time Blended Schedule
• Part-Time Blended Schedule (A-Days: Monday/Tuesday; B-Day: Wednesday/Thursday)
• Full-Time In-Person Schedule

As we continue to navigate this situation, we will continue implementing our health and safety plan by requiring masks, social distancing when feasible, and increased disinfecting practices, however, more students equal less social distancing, more germs, and a higher risk of infection.  If the number of cases becomes unmanageable, the school district may be forced into the full-time remote learning environment or a return to the hybrid/blended learning environment without advance notice to families.  

As we continue into the fall, there is a great deal of concern from health officials about flu season and the impact on the virus.  Please talk to your healthcare professional to consider the flu vaccine for all members of your family.  A typical flu season is challenging and could make the current situation more complicated.

Finally, I hope everyone understands the level of care and hard work that has gone into the planning and implementation of this school year from every member of the Westmont Hilltop school community.  We are all in this together.  As we navigate through this unprecedented school year, please continue your vigilance to safety practices that limit the spread of the virus in our community.  The fewer COVID-19 cases in the community mean fewer cases in your child’s school, which will allow everyone to enjoy school and all of the activities we love.  

Go Hilltoppers!


Thomas R. Mitchell
Superintendent