April 16, 2021

Dear Hornet Families, I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and relaxing Spring Break. Fortunately, the weather cooperated for those of us who remained in Michigan and enjoyed a "staycation." We had a very successful PSAT testing cycle during our remote week. Monday, we welcome our students back for in-person instruction. Please remember, our number one priority is the health and safety of students and staff. Our updated self-screening process for students and staff is still an important protocol everyone is asked to follow. Each day, before you send your child to school, we are asking you to complete the screening process for/with your child. This is for the protection of your child, their friends at school and our dedicated UCS team. Please screen your child daily before leaving or sending them to school. If your child shows symptoms of COVID-19, DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. The revised protocols can be found at this link. If your student is a close contact of a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you will be notified and your student will be quarantined according to the CDC & Macomb County Health Department guidelines. Now that Spring Break and our remote week are behind us, it is important to remind you that UCS is following the • CDC Guidelines: Testing and International Air Travel • Executive Order: Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel | The White House As a reminder, persons not fully vaccinated must adhere to the following upon return from international air travel and prior to resuming in-person school or work within the district: • Quarantine at home immediately upon return from international air travel. This should be for a minimum of seven (7) or ten (10) calendar days. • Get tested for COVID-19 upon return from international air travel. Two types of viral tests are acceptable: PCR and/or rapid (antigen). This is best conducted during the window of three to five days after return. o If test result is positive for COVID-19, follow all applicable isolation requirements. o If test result is negative for COVID-19, continue to self-monitor, and may return to school or work after the full seven(7) days, provided no symptoms emerge. • If an individual does not get tested within the window indicted above, she/he is to self-monitor for ten (10) days and may return to school or work after the full ten days, provided no symptoms emerge. Persons who have been fully vaccinated and/or tested positive for COVID-19 in the past three months must still follow the above listed procedure but may resume in-person school or work immediately following confirmation of a negative result (test must be during the window of three to five days after return). Even upon completing quarantine, individuals who have engaged in international air travel should continue to distance from medically fragile persons for fourteen days from return. Students and/or staff who must quarantine upon return to in-person school or work time must notify the school (students) or the Human Resources Department (staff). The Macomb County Health Department has recently issued a notable modification to the quarantine window for persons identified as close contact to a confirmed positive case of COVID-19. This revised window is applied effective immediately for both staff and students:

• Close contacts are required to quarantine at home for fourteen (14) days after the last contact with a positive person (previously 10 days). • Day zero (0) is the day of last contact and the quarantine period concludes at midnight on day fourteen (14). • Following the full fourteen (14) days, individuals may resume in-person work or school provided no symptoms have emerged. In addition to following our health protocols, we want to remind you about our ID policy. All Heritage students must wear their school ID daily. Please assist us. Be sure to ask your student to wear their current, school-issued ID. If your student has lost his/her ID, a replacement ID can be purchased for $5. Lanyards are available for $1. Students who wish to purchase an ID or lanyard should she Mrs. Kamyszek, with the exact dollar amount, in the media center. We appreciate your support with these guidelines. I hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Mrs.Beebe Principal, Heritage Junior High School

Virtual Library

UCS is in partnership with local libraries in Sterling Heights, Utica, Macomb and Shelby Township. If your student needs to check out books or other library services, please be sure to take advantage of the virtual library assigned to our school. Students can also receive tutoring support for all of their classes through the virtual library. To access the virtual library, go to

the ClassLink on their computer dashboard. The following documents were shared with students and provide step-by-step instructions on how to utilize these resources. Virtual Library Card (003).pdf Virtual Library Card Tutor.com (002).pdf

COVID-19 SELF-SCREENING UPDATE We have recently updated the self-screening process for families which reflects the recent changes in health protocols. Each day before you send your child to school, we are asking you to complete the screening process for your child. This is for the protection of your child, their friends at school and our dedicated UCS team. Please screen your child daily before leaving or sending them to school. If your child shows symptoms of COVID-19, DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL. Please see the revised protocols attached.

PANDEMIC ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (P-EBT)

P-EBT provides supplemental food assistance benefits to students who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the program is to make sure no child goes hungry by missing out on school meals.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) partnered during the 2019-2020 school year to provide these critical benefits to over 900,000 students. We are excited to be partnering again for the 2020-2021 school year to provide these benefits to students to help reduce food insecurity. Eligible students must:

• Be enrolled in a Michigan school. • Participate in a virtual or hybrid school schedule. • Be eligible for free or reduced lunch or attend a CEP school.

Students eligible for the P-EBT benefits will be notified by MDHHS directly. Please reference the attached FAQ document. Additional information is also available by calling (833) 905-0028 or at the following MDHHS website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71547_5527_104768---,00.html PLEASE SEE ATTACHED P-EBT FLYERS- In English, Spanish, Albanian, and Arabic for details

ANNUAL COLLEGE FAIR

7TH – 11TH GRADERS WELCOME

The district will host its 15th Annual College Fair from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2021 as a virtual event. This event is aimed at current seventh through eleventh graders. There are currently up to forty-five college representatives in attendance. Students can visit virtual expo booths where they will receive more information about the college or university through video, downloadable documents and/or a live chat with a representative. Please share the link below for free registration to this virtual event. Registration is now open at https://www.accelevents.com/e/CollegeFair

Heritage Junior High Spring Sports/Track Dear Hornet Families, Per the attached MHSAA Interim Guidance for Athletics, student athletes ages 13 and up must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing in order to participate. Heritage students will test at Stevenson High School on Sundays at 6:00 pm. Testing is done under the supervision of health professionals. For anyone interested in 7th or 8th grade track, the first test is this Sunday, April 18th at 6:00 pm.

• Athletes will enter through DOOR 23 and the testing will be conducted in the main gym.

• Failure to get tested on Sunday will prevent the participant from attending practice or competition for that week.

o If an athlete chooses to get a test on their own, valid documentation must be provided.

Additionally, the two attached documents(MDHHS safer conduct and consent form) must be completed, signed and brought to testing. If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days you may supply documentation to the coach at practice on Monday, April 19th in the form of a copy of the positive test result or a doctor’s note clearly stating the test date and result. Please contact our Athletic Director, Mr. Ogilvy, at Robert.Ogilvy@uticak12.org if you

have any questions. Robert Ogilvy robert.ogilvy@uticak12.org Physical Education and Health Interim Athletic Director Heritage Jr. High School

HERITAGE ART GALLARY

Students used two point perspective to create a snowy forest of trees, they also added shading to provide contrast!

Samantha Berger Dmytro Finak

Milena Kielar Zach Kroll

Lucy Harwood

From Your School Social Worker

Heritage Junior High Yearbook

PREPARING RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL CITIZENS

Heritage Junior High Communication Flowchart Process Parents transitioning from elementary to junior high school often wonder the best way to have their question or concern addressed. It is easy to become discouraged when attempts to communicate with school officials are not addressed only to be referred to others to resolve a problem your child may be experiencing in school. In order to help parents with this process and assist in efficiency, the “Heritage Junior High School Communication Process Flowchart,” has been created. This sequence is in place to make sure your questions and concerns are addressed to the proper school official. It is our hope that the flowchart will be utilized as a way to direct your question or concern so that it may be handled by the appropriate school official and responded to quickly. As always, classroom concerns and questions should be directed to the specific teacher involved. The chart is listed within this newsletter and will also be available on the website for parents for future reference. Please note that our office staff will be trained to help assist parents with this process and in many cases you will be referred to the first level in order to provide you with the most direct staff member.

Heritage Junior High School Communication Flowchart Process Most parent and community questions are easily and completely answered by communicating directly with the staff member closest to the situation. As you move further along the flowchart, the staff is less directly involved and usually needs additional time to research the situation before they can give you an answer. If you do not hear back from the person you have contacted within two (2) business days, it is appropriate to reach out to them again before moving along to the next level of the flowchart. We do not expect your questions or concerns to go unanswered for a long period of time. Each situation should first be addressed at whatever level the initial action was taken with appeals moving on to the next level on the “Communication Process Flowchart.” The easiest way to communicate is via e-mail while a phone call is the next preferable way.

Heritage Junior High Communication Process Flowchart Area of Concern First Level

Second Level Third Level Fourth Level Fifth Level

Instruction/Curriculum Teacher Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Board Office

Athletics Coach Heritage Athletic Director

Principal District Athletic Director

Board Office

Special Education Teacher Special Education Staff

Counselor Principal Board Office

Student Concerns/Guidance/Health Related Concerns

Teacher or Counselor

Assistant Principal Principal

Classroom Discipline Teacher Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Board Office

Non-Classroom School Discipline

Counselor Assistant Principal Principal Board Office

Classroom Concerns Teacher Counselor Assistant Principal/Principal

Board Office

Transportation Bus driver Assistant Principal (Discipline)

Transportation Supervisor

Board Office

Guidelines for Parent Communications to Teachers and Staff The purpose of this section is to serve as a general guide for ensuring effective communication from parents to teachers, staff and administrators. Communication refers to both the sending and receiving of information, such as email and notes, and verbal communications such as telephone conversations and face-to-face meetings. In order to ensure a successful exchange of information, it is important that all parties follow a few key principles.

Maintain Respectful and Open Communication • Always use a respectful and polite tone.

• Request…don’t demand.

• Be ready not just to provide information, but to listen to teacher/staff observations and perspectives.

• Enter the exchange with an open mind and assume a shared best interest for your child.

• Be prepared to work collaboratively to solve problems.

• Threats and/or inappropriate language will not be tolerated toward staff members.

Confidentiality • Recognize that confidentiality may limit information that can be shared from school to parents,

including consequences for other students’ behaviors.

Time to Respond to Communications • Teachers will make every effort to respond as soon as possible to parent communications, with the

understanding that the teaching day sometimes precludes immediate responses.

• Teachers and staff may need some time to collect needed information before responding.

• If you need to have a face-to-face meeting, it is always best to schedule the appointment in advance. Teachers, counselors, and administrators may not be readily available when parents “show up” unannounced. Please provide all of the necessary information pertaining to the meeting in advance.

Whom to Contact • Most communications of classroom concerns should be directed at first to your child’s teacher.

• If you have an issue with a particular staff member, first try to address those concerns with that staff member directly.

• If you have discussed with your child’s teacher and the issue has not been addressed to your satisfaction, then move to the next level.

• Please recognize that it is both the policy and the value of our school that we operate with openness, collaboration and the shared best interest for every student.

Scheduling Concerns/Changes* – In order to process a schedule change, parents must first have met with the teacher and put a plan in place to support the struggling student. If after several weeks, the student is still struggling, it would be appropriate to move to the second level. Please note - Classroom questions concerning your child should be addressed with your child’s teacher before contacting the counselors and/or school administration. Allow for two (2) business days for a response. If no response is received from a teacher during that time, send a second email or phone call to that teacher. Please note that compliments or acknowledgements of positive events can be directed to everyone along the chain. All of us appreciate hearing that there is something good that has happened.

Rehn A-O DeVuyst P-Z

Attention Current 9th Grade Students Your progress toward high school graduation starts NOW. If a high school student (9th -12th) earns an F in two of the three report card grades (two quarters and one exam=semester grade=.5 credits) the student will lose .5 credit for that semester. In order to graduate from UCS 22 high school credits must be earned to include the specific credits listed below:

4 credits of English 4 credits of Math (Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 11, and one senior year math credit)3 credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and one additional science credit)3 credits Social Studies (World History, US History, Economics, and Government) .5 credit of PE .5 credit of Health 1 credit of VPPA (visual, performing, applied arts) 2 credits of World Language (level 1 and level 2 of the same language consecutively) Please feel free to call, email, or set up an appointment with your student's counselor to discuss any questions or concerns.