The Applegater

22 Winter 2020 Applegater NEXT GENERATION | SCHOOL NEWS High school makes in-person teaching plans BY LISA BALDWIN "We miss the kids." For Hidden Valley High School Principal Damian Crowson, that sentiment drove him and his staff as they worked every day to bring students back into the classrooms and keep them connected to the school while they learned from home. rough the fall, the HVHS team met weekly to assess what was working, what was not, and how they could better serve students' needs. Hidden Valley began transitioning all students to the "hybrid" learning model with orientation sessions on November 18 and 19. If all went as hoped, the high school would have had everyone "back in school" and moving forward on Monday, November 30, just prior to this paper's publication. To minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission, students are divided into two cohorts based on their home address. ose with odd numbered home addresses are in the "A" group and attend classes on campus on Mondays and Wednesdays. "B" group students with even-numbered addresses attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During these on-campus days, from 8:40 am to 12:30 pm students have in-person instruction in four classes. is A/B schedule facilitates the social distancing required by state guidelines by reducing the number of students on campus by half (300 at a time rather than 600) and reducing class sizes (15 at a time rather than 30). Directional signage in the hallways will help keep students safe as they pass from one classroom to the next. M r. C r o w s o n m a d e a p o i n t o f c o m p l i m e n t i n g t h e Hi d d e n Va l l e y staff, who have really stepped up to meet the great challenges this school year continues to present. He singled out head cook Amy Berg and her kitchen staff as "rock stars." ey prepared 600 meals every day, four days a week, all delivered by bus to Hidden Valley students and families throughout the school closure in October and November. Now that students are back on campus on a regular basis, they will pick up their meals at school, two lunches and two breakfasts, ready to "grab and go" each time. Music teacher Joe Green has found ways to keep the bands and choirs making music, and there is some hope they may be able to put together a "virtual" winter concert. School sports have been reworked into eight-week seasons, starting with the traditional winter team sports (basketball and wrestling) in January and February, fall sports (football and volleyball) in March and April, and spring sports (baseball, softball, and track and field) in May and June. All student athletes can schedule workout time at school in groups of 10 or less. ere are two new faces in the front office this year: Assistant Principal Jessica Falkenhagen and Assistant Principal- Athletic Director Dale Fisher. Five teachers joined the Mustang family this fall, as well: John Johall (Social Studies), Dave Delgado (English), Jessica Beck (Science), and Heidi Marks Morris and Elizabeth Venzon (Math). "I want to thank the students and families for their strength, support and resiliency," Principal Crowson said, "[as we worked together to] get them back as soon as possible." Lisa Baldwin leb.97527@gmail.com Principal Damian Crowson stands proudly in the recently upgraded gymnasium with its new paint, new bleachers, new LED lighting, refinished floors, and seismic reinforcements. Photo: Lisa Baldwin. A child's view of life in the Applegate Students at the Ruch Outdoor Community School (ROCS) have written essays about living in the Applegate Valley as part of their participation in A Greater Applegate's community visioning process (see column, Page 7). Applegate, Madrona, and Williams Elementary Schools are also participating and will submit essays in the coming months. These essays will be featured in the Applegate Valley strategic plan and used to identify community priorities. Here are three of the essays, authored by Ellie, second grade; Sonia, fourth grade; and Brighton, seventh grade. The Applegater wishes you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

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