2020-21 Back to School Information

Dear Parents/Guardians:

The 2020-21 school year has and will continue to present challenges we have never faced in our community, state and nation. We appreciate your patience as we work daily to create and modify options meeting the needs of our students and families. We are putting into place health and safety protocols and utilizing all possible resources to provide the safest environment possible for our students.

Gov. Andy Beshear recently advised school districts that in-person instruction should not begin until September 28th. In compliance with the Governor’s advice, Harlan County Schools began all instruction in a virtual format on Monday, August 31st, 2020 and our district returned to our original 2-option plan including in-person instruction on Monday, Sept. 28th, when the mandate was lifted. Families that desire in-person instruction should contact their schools for further details. Students who originally selected the Virtual option began the school year virtually and will continue in that format after in-person instruction is allowed.

Virtual Instruction: Students will receive instruction through the Odysseyware–Edgeunity virtual platform supported by Harlan County teachers. Students can still communicate and receive support from their teachers as needed. Login information can be found on our virtual page and/or below:

• Elementary Odysseyware Login
• High School Odysseyware Login

Please refer to our Virtual School page for additional information regarding our virtual program.

From the beginning of this pandemic, it has been our intention as a district to offer options for families that include in-person and virtual attendance. We remain committed to our belief that in-person instruction is what is best for kids. District administration developed a plan we felt held everyone's best interest at its core and the Board of Education unanimously approved that plan.

We understand the frustration and inconvenience this decision causes the majority of families in our community. And we hope you all know how immensely disappointing it was to postpone in-person instruction. We remain committed to our belief that in-person instruction is what is best for kids, especially after being isolated for such a long period of time. Going forward, we will continue to prepare and maintain our buildings for in-person instruction and welcome our students with the same enthusiasm no matter what date the calendar reads.

We appreciate your cooperation and understand the stress caused by the changes. I assure you we are committed to doing our best to serve our families and keep our children safe. Thank you for your support as we make these extremely difficult decisions in a changing educational landscape. We are so grateful for this community!

Sincerely,

Brent Roark Superintendent