Amended School Start Date

On Tuesday, the school board approved my recommendation that we amend the school start date to August 19.  This change in start date will allow additional time for employee training on new procedures, safety, health, sanitation, and new instructional platforms. This will also allow additional time to ensure all schools have an adequate of supply of cleaning products, and for additional student technology to arrive and be prepared for distribution. 

Instructional Options for 2020-21 

Holmes District Schools will offer three instructional options for 2020-21: Traditional, Holmes Virtual School, and Innovative Learning.
Students enrolled in traditional school do not need to complete any additional paperwork to notify us of your intent to return. Stay tuned to our district app and each school’s Facebook page for information about supply lists, open house, etc.

Students enrolled in Holmes Virtual School will access course work solely from online curriculum. These courses provide flexible scheduling during the student’s day while attending the brick and mortar school, OR can provide a full-time virtual program where the student receives all instruction online. These courses are offered at no cost to the student. Students enrolled in full-time Holmes Virtual School will be required to complete a full semester of course work before returning to traditional school.

Students who choose the Innovative Learning option will receive instruction online with a Holmes County teacher using web conferencing technology. The student will be able to interact with their teacher and their peers while being taught through the same curriculum as students who are in a traditional setting. The schedule will mirror a traditional school day. This option is currently scheduled to occur August through December and students will be able to return to their traditional schools when their families feel comfortable.

Detailed information about each of these options is available on our website at www.hdsb.org on the Back to School 2020-21 page. Look for the red box on the right side of the page.

If your family chooses to participate in Holmes Virtual or Innovative Learning, please use the following link to submit your choice by the end of the day on Friday, July 31. forms.gle/uT6gDWrgQM7oMvFA7

After completing the online form, wait to be contacted by your child’s school to make an appointment to complete the registration process. Schools will be contacting families next week.

Controlled Open Enrollment 

Students who wish to attend a district school other than the one they are zoned for must complete a reassignment application each year.  Most of these were completed in the spring.  However, the application window has reopened for those who missed it in the spring, have moved, or had a change in circumstances.  The online form is available on the Controlled Open Enrollment page on our website.  The deadline to complete the form is August 14.  

The District Office will be closed to the public on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22 for deep cleaning.  Upon re-opening on Thursday, July 23, we respectfully ask that all visitors wear a mask for the safety of both the visitor and employees.