Hanover High School Welcome Back 9/16/20

Thanks for an excellent first day!  We did experience a sprinkling of technology snafus; however, we basically narrowed any issues down to student-Zoom accounts not established using their hanoverstudents.org email, Zoom meetings allowing only those with such accounts to enter, and server domain issues with Google Meets. 

While we address these issues and communicate our solutions to students, we’ll allow a first-day waiver for attendance. 

On to Thursday! 

The school building will be open for staff by 6:00 am.  By 7:00 am, the building will be open only for students with scheduled appointments and special circumstances (pre-approved by the main office).  The building will open to others at 7:30 am; however, we may stagger entry into the building if we cannot maintain safe distancing.  Please contact the main office with any questions or conflicts. 

In the mornings, students will be allowed only in the gym and café.  Access to any other area is not permitted without a pre-arranged appointment. 

At dismissal, unless a student has a pre-arranged appointment and/or an athletics obligation, all students are required to leave the building and school grounds immediately. 

Other Important Points

Our cellphone policy remains the same.  Beginning next Wednesday, however, we will be using these devices for a digital hall-pass system whereby all classrooms will be equipped with QR codes, to be utilized for registering and documenting students leaving and/or entering classrooms and other areas upon request.  Further details of this system, and how it relates to our cellphone policy are forthcoming.  Our COVID Handbook Insert will be sent at 12:00 pm tomorrow.   

The two connecting hallways on the second and third floors have been converted back to support two-way traffic.  The library, as well, can be entered and exited from either doorway.  This will help with traffic flow. 

We have 4 lunches this year.  During 3^rd BLOCK – not period – each day, you’ll be assigned to 1 of the 4 lunches.  First and Third lunches will either be assigned to the gym, courtyard, and other outdoor spaces – or – they will be assigned to the café, courtyard, and other outdoor spaces.  Second and fourth lunches will be assigned alternately to the opposite location.  This rotation always leaves one area unpopulated for a deeper cleaning.  Seating in all scenarios is clearly marked, and all areas will have cleaning supplies.  It is an expectation that prior to leaving your lunch areas, students throw away all trash, spray the tables with cleaner, and wipe down tables thoroughly.  Thank you! 

When you arrive tomorrow, you will go to Flex Block.  During this first cycle/week, you will go to your period 1 location where attendance will be taken.  Although you’ll be present in your period 1 class with your period 1 teacher, this is not necessarily an extension of that class.  This period is “flexible” during which time you may seek extra help, attend a guidance appointment, or have meetings with administration.  All of these “appointments” must be pre-arranged and pre-approved.

Looking Forward

Next week, during our second cycle/week when you have Flex Block a second time, you will go to your period 2 location where attendance will be taken.  Third cycle, you’ll go to period 3 location, etc.  I’ll have more on the function of this block tomorrow. Please see the attached hybrid schedule.

Traffic Flow

Finally, I wanted to send a quick note as to the expected flow of traffic for student drop-off and pick-up.  As you'll see from the blue arrows on the attached image, there are two lanes of traffic coming down our main drive.  If you’re in the left lane, you turn left just after student parking lot on the left.  Then, you proceed all the way down to the red line, and then drop-off student(s).  Pease see the attached drop-off and pick-up diagram.

If you are in the right lane, you turn left just before the school.  Then, you proceed all the way down to the red line, and then drop-off student(s). 

All traffic should adhere to the u-shaped driveway returning back out to Cedar Street.  No one should be turning right.  

Okay, that’s enough for now.  Be warm.  Be safe. 

Matthew Paquette
Principal