Superintendent Ken Crawford

It is at this time when we reflect on the year and wonder how it went by so fast. I am not sure the year 2020 will be characterized as a “quick year” in anyone’s history book.

The year started off as it normally would — we were in full swing with school and winter sports. Only in late January did anyone really start to hear about the coronavirus. There was some talk about many countries in Europe shutting down and getting ahead of the virus.

It wasn’t until late February that it became apparent something was different about this virus. Schools scrambled to understand what was happening and how to combat it. Presentations were given on how to wash hands for 20 seconds and how to cough into your sleeve like the ‘dabbing’ motion made famous by many professional athletes. Social distancing was something of a discussion but not anything implemented. The cleaning of door handles became imperative. 

In March, the United States and Iowa took a serious turn after seeing how devastating the effects of COVID-19 were on people, especially the elderly.

Community spread was a phrase that became common in press conferences throughout the country. And for the first time in history, the conversation about shutting down schools was real.

We saw the NBA shut down. We saw Major League Baseball start up and then pause. When students left school on Friday, March 13, there was a thought that school might not reconvene but messages from the state government made it sound like we would be back at school the next Monday. 

Then on Sunday night, March 15, the governor paused school for four weeks. Schools then spent time figuring out how to give instruction online from their home or their classrooms with no students in the building. Computers were given out, google classrooms popped up, and Zoom meetings became a common phrase for class, staff and board meetings. When school was canceled for the remainder of the year, schools then found ways to finish out the semester academically and how to do prom and graduation in a different way.

Summer months found administrative staff working on three educational models the governor wanted to have in place before July 1. Surveys went out to staff and community members about educational models and mask wearing. Hours were spent coming up with plans to return to school with new protocols on cleaning, mask/shield wearing, social distancing, washing of hands and how to do sports. Summer sports got half a season and the state went forward with the fall sports season as planned. 

Highland Schools came back to school in a hybrid model with a modified schedule for football and volleyball.  Everyone was wearing a mask or a shield. Hand sanitizing stations were everywhere inside and outside on school property. Some staff members opted out on teaching for the year and all schools scrambled to find substitute teachers.

Highland did return to full-time in-person education only to have November throw  a curveball.  With too many bus drivers out sick, school had to go on a two-week state-approved waiver. This paused winter activities and the governor stopped all youth and junior high sports.

Finally, we have finished out the year in the hybrid model with the winter sports adjusting their schedules due to missed practices and games.

No one can say they could have predicted any of this happening in a given year.  Remember in 2019 when we thought 12 snow days was incredible? We don’t think much of those days anymore. We are survivors.  We are innovators. And we are resilient.

As a community, staff and student body, we all should be proud of how the year has gone. We have all learned new ways to give and receive education. We have realized things could be normal one day and then the next day have a 14-day quarantine starting.

To advance educationally has been a triumph of patience, learning and grit by all involved. I think we can look back at 2020 and say, “Good Riddance!” I think we can also look back and be proud of our ability to make the best of a horrible virus and learn to grow despite not having perfect conditions to learn.

After 2020, can we ever worry again about our abilities to adapt and overcome? We have done it. But I do hope that 2021 is more gentle with us.  We have earned it. Enjoy the holiday season!