The Florida Surgeon General and Department of Health have issued a new protocol regarding quarantines for students, effective September 22. The rule can be accessed at https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/64DER21-15.pdf

The Department of Education has released an updated graphic giving guidance on when students will need to quarantine.  (Click the Related Files link below.) We will continue to update you as we receive new guidance from the appropriate agencies. 

Device Pick-up for Full-time Holmes Virtual School Students:
August 12, 13, 16, and 17
8:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. each day except Friday (8:15 a.m.-12 noon)

HDSB District Office
701 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Bonifay
Media Center--Door #7

Devices will be given out by appointment only In order to reduce wait times and practice social distancing. Use the following link to schedule an appointment: https://bit.ly/HVSDevicePickUp

We encourage parents to download and complete the device agreement form prior to arrival. https://bit.ly/HDSBDeviceAgreement

We will also be offering an optional device protection plan that covers accidental damage. The fee is $20 and may be paid by cash, cashier's check, or money order. No personal checks will be accepted. Cashier's checks or money orders should be made payable to Holmes District School Board.

Superintendent Brown has released the following directive regarding school events:

TO:                  HDSB

 FROM:            Superintendent Buddy L. Brown

 DATE:            August 2, 2021

 SUBJECT:      Scheduling of Events on Wednesday

 

I currently have some concerns about the over scheduling of events and in particular extracurricular activities during the school week.  I have come to the decision that the mid-week day of Wednesday will be considered a time-out period in concerns of activities scheduled outside of the normal school day.

 

  1.  No extracurricular activities will be regularly scheduled to take place after 5:30 PM during this day.  This is to include any practices, athletic events, or other school related activities that are directly controlled by HDSB.
  2. Exceptions to this rule may include events that have to be rescheduled due to “acts of nature,” events scheduled by agencies or organizations the school or District has a contractual obligation to, and events approved by the School Principal and/or Superintendent that have a direct positive effect on student academic achievement.

 

We are an educational institution.  Our goal is to safeguard the well-being of our students while focusing on their academic achievement and preparation to be productive members of society when they graduate from our schools.  To expect these students to maintain their physical and academic stamina without giving them an opportunity to have a time of respite and rest, or even a full evening to focus on academics and family is contrary to our goals.  We will use this mid-point of the week as an opportunity for students and their families to have an evening free from any organized school events.

 

The Holmes District School Board will be adopting and revising Exceptional Student Education Policies and Procedures.  It will be presented at the school board meeting on August 24, 2021.  A hearing for the public will be held at 5:00 p.m. on August 19, 2021 for input on proposed changes at the Holmes District School Board office.  A copy of the policies to be adopted or revised may be reviewed at the Holmes District School Board office Monday-Friday from 7:30-3:00 p.m. except for advertised holidays.

On June 28, 2021, a mass casualty exercise will take place at the Holmes County High School. This is a drill to practice and assess the coordination among agencies, students, and their guardians.

Summer school and WINGS will dismiss early at 12:00 p.m.  This exercise will begin at 1 p.m. and last until approximately 3:00 p.m.  There will be signage and a law enforcement presence to ensure the drill site is secure and to assist in traffic control during the exercise. Please refrain from driving around the Holmes County High School and the Bonifay K-8 campuses between 1:00 and 3:30 p.m.

The following agencies will be participating in this drill:   Holmes District School Board, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Holmes Emergency Management, Holmes County Emergency Medical Services, Bonifay Fire Department, Esto Fire Department, Pine Log Fire Department, Gritney Fire Department, Pittman Fire Department, Holmes County Department of Health, Doctors Memorial Hospital, and Bonifay Police Department.

The Florida Department of Health in Holmes County will be offering COVID-19 vaccines for adolescents ages 12 to 18 on June 29, 2021.  The vaccines will be by appointment only and will be administered at Holmes County High School in the student center.   To schedule an appointment, please call Jennifer Eldridge, School Health Coordinator at 850-658-2701. A parent or guardian must be present.

The Holmes County School Board will be adopting and revising school board policies and the Student Code of Conduct at the regular school board meeting on July 6, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. A hearing for the public for input on proposed changes will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at the Holmes County School Board Office. A copy of the policies and Code of Conduct to be adopted or revised may be reviewed at the Holmes County School Board Office Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., except advertised holidays.

 

Holmes District School Board

Public Input Meeting for Project Awards

June 16, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

Located at 701 East Pennsylvania Ave., Bonifay, Florida 32425

IDEA, Part B – Entitlement – These funds are allocated for the support of special projects which will contribute to the solution of persisting state-wide needs in the education of exceptional students.

IDEA, Part B – Preschool Entitlement - These funds are allocated to provide special education and related services to students with disabilities aged three through five.

Title I – Part A (Title I Basic) program provides services to help schools with high concentrations of students from low-income families be able to offer high-quality education that will enable all children to meet, at a minimum, proficiency levels on challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.

Title I – Part C - These funds are allocated to provide services to migratory students who are failing or at risk of failing to meet the State’s challenging content and academic achievement standards and whose education has been interrupted during the regular school year.

Title II, Part A – Teacher and Principal Training/Recruiting –This program’s purpose is to improve teacher and principal quality and increase the number of highly qualified teachers and principals.

Title IV, Part A- Student Support and Academic Enrichment- This program will support district developed services and activities geared toward providing all students an enriched educational experience.

Title IV, Part B- 21st Century Community Learning Centers-This program provides after-school and summer enrichment programs for students.

Title V, Part B, Subpart 2 – Rural Education Achievement Program – These funds are allocated to provide additional support to rural or low income districts.

 

Request for Sealed Bids:

 

Holmes District School Board will be accepting sealed bids for a 40’x24’ double-wide portable building that is currently located at Poplar Springs High School. Bids can only be received at the Holmes District School Board Office, 701 E. Pennsylvania Ave. in Bonifay, and must be dropped off before 12:50 PM on June 17, 2021.  Late bids will not be accepted.  Please have bidder’s name, address, and phone number on the bid, as well as the dollar amount the bidder is willing to pay. The portable is being sold as is and must be moved at owner’s expense.  HDSB will work with the winning bidder, but movement of the building must be coordinated with school events in mind.

 

Bids will be opened in the Board Room at the District Office on June 17, 2021 at 1:00 PM. The public is invited to attend the bid opening. If you have any questions please contact Brian Morgan at 850-547-9341 ext. 1261 or by email at [email protected].

 

PRESS RELEASE--HCHS Graduation Practice Incident
May 25, 2021
6:28 p.m.

Today an investigation was initiated after receiving information regarding a possible Code of Conduct violation involving a weapon. The information that was received as the situation developed resulted in the activation of safety and incident protocols as established in the Holmes District Schools Safety Manual.

A determination was made that this individual may have been in violation of District policy, the Code of Conduct, and Florida Statutes concerning student safety, which resulted in a referral to law enforcement.

HCHS Graduation is secure. The person alleged to be involved in this incident is currently in custody. There will be no further comment pursuant to a full investigation by local law enforcement agencies.

Buddy L. Brown
Superintendent of Schools