All Hillcrest High students will engage in virtual learning from Tuesday, Nov. 24 until Monday, Dec. 7.
The decision to temporarily move all Huskies to online learning — announced on Friday, Nov. 20 in emails and text messages to parents and guardians — came after a sustained increase in COVID-19 cases associated with the school. The rise in the positivity rate in the Midvale area also factored in the action, which was taken after consulting with officials from the Salt Lake County Health Department.
On Monday, Nov. 23, teachers will spend the day preparing to instruct the virtual classes. The next day, Tuesday, Nov. 24, students will begin their online classes. The school and individual teachers will provide additional information about learning expectations via Canvas, Canyons’ online common-learning management tool.
Teachers also will be taking attendance for the online classes. If a student needs access to technology, please call the school at 801-826-6000 to arrange for a Chromebook.
Hillcrest parents also should expect an email communication from Principal Greg Leavitt on Monday, Nov. 23.
Hillcrest students who are enrolled in classes at the Canyons Technical Education Center may continue attending CTEC classes in-person if they are not in quarantine or isolation. During the next few weeks, transportation will be provided from Hillcrest to CTEC and back – but not from homes to CTEC.
Hillcrest was the last Canyons traditional high school to pivot to online learning because of COVID-19 rates at the school and in the community. According to the Canyons Board of Education’s guidelines, if any CSD traditional high school reaches a 1 percent COVID-19 rate within a two-week period, it will trigger a discussion about possible mitigation efforts, including a temporary schedule change.
The most recent reports from health authorities indicate that the high school has reached a 1 percent threshold.
Families can review the number of cases at each school, as well as the number of students and employees quarantined, on the District’s data dashboard, which can be accessed on the Canyons District website.
Hillcrest High will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized while students are not in the building.
Meals will still be available for Hillcrest High students while they are learning in remote locations. At CSD’s “open lunch” sites, any child 18 years of age or under can pick up a free sack lunch and cold breakfast to enjoy the following day. Parents can pick up sack meals at any of the following curbside locations without having their children present. Pick-up times vary and are determined by each school.
- Butler Middle, 7530 S. 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights
- Midvale Middle, 7852 Pioneer Road, Midvale
- Draper Park Middle, 13133 S. 1300 East, Draper
Hillcrest High students may also receive a meal from any Canyons school in which a sibling is enrolled. Schools ask, however, that meals are preordered so that the kitchens know how much food to prepare. Emails requesting the meals can be sent to the school’s cafeteria manager. Contact information for the cafeteria manager can be found on the website of the school where the meal would be provided.
Canyons District continues to ask the community to follow safety precautions. Please wear face coverings, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, and observe physical distancing guidelines in public.
Questions? Please direct questions by email to communications@canyonsdistrict.org. Parents also can call the school or the District Office at 801-826-5000 during work hours.
