I hope this email finds you well!

Creating a high quality learning experience while maintaining the health and safety of our students at Heritage School of Interior Design is our number one priority.  Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 Virus, and our ability to meet together safely for Spring Term 2020 courses, we will be implementing a thoughtful approach to teaching and learning through hybrid instruction with live and interactive online lectures, activities, guest speakers, showroom tours, final project presentations and more. We also understand that Interior Design is a hands-on learning experience, and we’ll be offering an opportunity for you to access an expanded materials library for your projects while still maintaining student and staff safety. We see this as an exciting opportunity to offer you the best possible learning experience at Heritage.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring that despite not being in the classroom every day, you will feel stimulated, engaged and well-connected with your instructor, classmates, design resources, the Heritage administrative team and the design community. In order to keep you all informed, we will continuously update you with new information regarding safety protocols as we receive it from local and federal governing agencies.

Each course will be structured in a way that is most effective for that course’s learning objectives. You will receive specific information for each course that you are enrolled in prior to the start of the term. Below we have highlighted some of the ways that we will ensure a successful Spring term. Please note that not all of these points below are applicable to every class. Feel free to reach out if you have questions regarding a specific course.

A Variety of Learning Techniques

In addition to live, interactive lectures, we want to keep you active by breaking up the day with individual, partner and small group activities. You will also have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers throughout the term who are experts in the design community. Expect to hear from guest speakers across all three Heritage locations – Portland, Seattle and Denver!

Small Group Learning

In order to build relationships with your classmates, we will have small group breakout sessions via virtual meeting software. In these small groups you will have time to communicate and collaborate to complete various activities, projects and design challenges.

1:1 Time with Your Instructor

You will be encouraged to schedule 1:1 time with your instructor during set office hours each week. During these 1:1 sessions you will be able to connect with your instructor and discuss anything that you might need extra help with.

Virtual Showroom Tours

Field Visits have always been an important part of our program so we are thankful to be able to provide them virtually! You will get a thorough tour of the showroom while gaining product knowledge, with time for Q&A at the end. These showrooms will be happy to invite you to come see them in person once business is back to normal.

A benefit of this hybrid approach is that we aren’t confined by city limits so we can highlight showrooms throughout the country!

Shop at our Expanded Resource Library

Our resource library is well stocked with product samples and materials that you will have access to throughout the term. You will have a scheduled time each week when you can come into the classroom individually and select materials for projects and assignments. A Heritage team member will ensure all students are practicing physical distance when in the classroom, and that each student washes their hands before and after entering the classroom. All materials that you take home will be yours to keep. We will replenish and refresh the resource library as needed throughout the term. Heritage will maintain excellent hygiene practices and sanitize shared spaces according to CDC guidelines after each use.

Communication is Key

We strongly believe that communication will be more important than ever with this hybrid learning approach. Each instructor will set communication guidelines – in general if you email an instructor with a question we require a response within 24 hours on a weekday and 48 hours on the weekends. Please feel free to reach out to the Heritage Team – we are here for you.

Heritage will be providing additional guides and resources in order to prepare you for a successful virtual learning experience and digital participation.

To further enhance your experience, Heritage will also be informing students on other ways that they can stay engaged with the community through virtual events, continuous education opportunities, design workshops, challenges and more!

Spring Term will begin the week of May 4th. To view the current schedule for each course, please visit your campus location, and click on the Spring Term 2020 Schedule tab.

We want to thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this time of change and uncertainty. The Heritage community cannot exist without you and we appreciate the diverse talents, backgrounds, and world-views you each bring to our school. Together, we can navigate this new virtual learning environment and make it a fabulous Spring term!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Thornton Plymale, CEO
Jim Plymale, President

No Tolerance for Discrimination

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, first detected in China, Asian members of our community continue to experience profiling and targeting especially on social media and in public commentary. This racism, rooted in fear and misinformation, is hurtful, unacceptable and contrary to our values at Heritage. As we embrace the changes ahead of us, share your support with friends and colleagues. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. Together, we will care for each other and find the silver lining in these trying and uncertain times.

Health and Wellness at Heritage

The health and safety of our community will always be top priority. As we continue to navigate the pandemic together we encourage you all to stay safe, stay physically distant (but socially connected!) and stay informed. As information is changing daily, we will continue to update you as we gain information from the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission and other governing agencies. More information and ongoing updates from public health officials are available online.

Portland

• Multnomah County Health Department
• Oregon Health Authority (OHA)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Communicable Disease Guidance

Denver

• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• Denver Department of Public Health & Environment
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Colorado Department of Higher Education: Division of Private Occupational Schools

Seattle

• King County Health Department
• Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board: Private Career Schools