Dear Ionta and Delahunty Families,

I hope that everyone is enjoying the summer and you have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with your families and friends. I know many of our families have been waiting patiently to receive information from the district as it pertains to our school plan regarding the COVID pandemic as well as other changes and school happenings for the upcoming school year. Hopefully the information within this email, mailings and other correspondences will alleviate some of those anxieties and nervousness and provide you with the necessary information needed as you prepare your child(ren) for the return of school.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the 8th grade orientation/open house originally scheduled for Thursday, August 20 is cancelled.   

In order to allow our students and families the opportunity to pick up Chromebooks, walk through the building, collect course materials and practice opening lockers, the building will be open on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, August 11, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, August 12, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Thursday, August 13, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Friday, August 14, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

This is an “open schedule” and you may choose whichever time works best for your family.  Please wear a mask when entering and walking through the building, and practice proper social distancing from other individuals and families.  Please enter through the main doors of the high school and proceed to the lobby where you will receive your Chromebook and a folder of important information including student 8th grade class schedules.  You may then walk throughout the building locating assigned classrooms.  Each teacher will leave class specific materials on a desk outside of their classroom doors.  Eighth grade lockers and most 8th grade classes are located on the 3rd floor of the building.  

Earlier in the summer, emails and letters were  sent home outlining Chromebook fees, insurance options and directions for an online payment option.  For your convenience, that information, along with this phone message, is also being emailed or mailed for your continued reference.  All of this information can also be found on the school website on the main page under "Chromebook 1:1 Program for 8th Grade Students" and "Chromebook 1:1 Accidental Damage Insurance."

Finally, it would be beneficial to review the virtual tour video that was made available in early June.  This video contains important transition information and can be viewed by logging into the student assigned homeroom Google Classroom.   

I am looking forward to your family becoming a member of the HHS family and am excited about the many experiences we will share during the next five years.  Though this school year is beginning with many challenges, I have no doubt that by working together, we will navigate through each obstacle and make the 2020-2021 year a positive and productive one. 

Our school district continues to plan for school to re-open to students on Tuesday, August 25.  As part of this planning, it is important that we have all of your child’s information updated and submitted online.  Please use the Returning Student Information Form to update our student records and provide us your permission for students to be treated by the nurse, use our computer resources, etc. 

On July 14th, a Snapcode will be sent by email to each address provided for your student.  Instructions, updated for 2020-21, and the link to the form are available here.  If you did not provide the district with an email address your Snapcode will be mailed to the student's primary address.  If you have any questions, please contact the Student Registration Office at (724) 981-8750 ext 6000.

Attention Parents of 2020-21 8th Grade Students:  A email or letter was sent home discussing the HHS 1:1 Program earlier this summer, which your student will now be a participant.  Details about this program will be provided at the 8th Grade Orientation, but we wanted each parent/guardian to know beforehand that this program has a shared cost.  Each parent/guardian is asked to pay either an annual $50 Technology Usage Fee at the start of each school year until graduation, which will total $250, or purchase the Chromebook now at a rate of $200.  If you choose to buy the Chromebook, you would not owe the Technology Usage Fee and should you decide to leave or move from the Hermitage School District, you would keep the Chromebook. If you choose to only pay the Technology Usage Fee each year and you leave the school prior to graduation, you will need to return the Chromebook and the case.  Please note the the Technology Usage Fee for any student who qualifies for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program will be $10 or $20, respectively, per year.

In addition, you can choose to purchase insurance that will extend the warranty beyond the manufacturer's standard 1 year warranty and also provide accidental damage protection.  The cost of the insurance is $100 for 4 years of coverage.

Payments can be made either via the School District Online Store (click on Chromebook 1:1 Program after signing in) or by bringing cash or a check/money order, made payable to the Hermitage School District, to the 8th Grade Orientation.  Please note that there is a transaction fee to use the Online Store.

As part of our 1:1 program we offer an optional insurance policy to cover accidental damage and extend the warranty of the device.  Please note that every device has a 1 year warranty for manufacturer defects or failures only.  It does not cover accidental damage or vandalism.  Once that warranty expires any defects or failures, as well accidental damage or vandalism are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.  We do have some used parts to reduce the cost of those repairs, but those supplies are limited.  Current prices for new parts are available on the District's website and used parts prices are based on availability. 

Once purchased, there are no additional payments for this insurance. Additionally, some Juniors and Sophomores purchased a 3 year Accidental Damage and Extended Warranty policy from Acer when they received their Chromebook in 8th grade.  Although this policy is no longer available for purchase, if your coverage has not lapsed there is no need to purchase a second policy from Worth Ave.

• Seniors with a C731T (expires August 16th, 2021) - $28
• Juniors with a C731T (expires August 20th, 2022) - $47
• Sophomores with a C732T (expires August 17th, 2023) - $80
• Freshmen/8th Grade with a C733T (expires August 20th, 2024) -  $100
  • Please note the insurance company will not underwrite a 5 year policy.  When the 8th grade students enter 12th grade we can offer a 1 year policy if you would like to continue coverage until the graduate.  More information will follow at that time.

If you would like to purchase this additional coverage, please submit payment in the form of either a check or money order made payable to the Hermitage School District to Mrs. Benson in the HHS Library or you may use the MySchoolBucks portal to make a payment using a credit or debit card.  Please note that coverage can be added until the end of the school year at that price, but coverage will not be extended beyond the end date listed for that policy.

At the June 15th School Board meeting, the board approved the Health and Safety Plan Summary, which will guide the district in starting the 2020-21 school year, and the Athletics Re-opening Guidelines.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (724) 981-8750 ext 6010.  Thank you.

The Hermitage School District has an online registration process for all incoming students for 2020-21. Please go to our the Student Registration Page to access the online forms, fill in the required information and upload the necessary documents to complete your child’s registration. 

If you do not have access to a computer or you are not able to scan and upload your documents, Chromebooks will be available at our Central Administration Office (411 N. Hermitage Rd.) for your use by appointment only. Please contact (724) 981-8750 ext 6000 to schedule an appointment.

Online Registration will be closed on Wednesday August 12th, at 3pm.  Any new registation applications must be submitted by appointment only.  Thank you.

Please note that this is only for new students or students who were not enrolled at the end of the 2019-20 school year.  The Returning Student Information Form will be available in mid July for all currently enrolled students so that parents can update their student's demographic and medical information.