MCS looking at ways to continue programs as school closes early
During the school closure, watch the MCS website for updates on free meals for kids. Photo courtesy Lisa Garrison.
On Thursday, April 2, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order suspending face-to-face instruction for all public and private K-12 schools for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.
In a letter to parents dated Saturday, April 4, Interim Superintendent Kevin Upton said, “this raises numerous questions for our students, families, and staff. We are working cooperatively with the WISD and our peer school districts to answer those questions as soon as possible.”
In the letter, Upton reiterated several of the bullet points outlined in Whitmer’s Executive Order:
- Our physical school buildings will remain closed to students through the end of the school year in June, unless the Governor indicates it is safe to reopen and lifts the restrictions.
- School employees will continue to be paid through the end of the school year.
- Instruction and other supportive services will continue for our students for the remainder of the school year.
“We must develop a Continuity of Learning Plan that is appropriate and accessible for all families in our district,” Upton said in his April 4 communication. “Our administrators, teachers, and ancillary staff are working hard to develop ways that meet the needs of all our students, especially students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and students in poverty.”
For the duration, no one (including staff, students, or parents) will be allowed to enter any MCS facility without prior approval and completion of a health screening.
Food services for students will continue. The food delivery model established during this closure may be modified or extended as more information on program regulations and needs become apparent.
Upton’s letter continues, “What this means for students and families so far: Parents and guardians may be permitted to visit school property for the purpose of obtaining materials and equipment as long as they practice social distancing. MCS will plan time in the future for families to pick up items. No one is to enter any MCS facility without prior approval and completion of a health screening form. Seniors who are on track to graduate this year will receive their diplomas. Seniors who were failing a course as of March 11, 2020, must be provided an opportunity to the extent feasible to demonstrate learning in the subject and receive credit for the course. All other students will advance to their next grade at the beginning of the next school year, assuming their school district determines they were on pace to advance before the shutdown.
“We will be looking at everything from graduation to grading, from schedules to student progress, and from academics to the emotional well-being of our children,” the letter concludes. “Nothing is ‘business as usual.’ These are difficult times, and we will work to make the coming months as supportive and productive as possible for our students. We greatly appreciate your support and understanding. We will continue to communicate with you as plans become more solidified and additional answers become available. We encourage you to watch for future district communications, and check our website often. In the meantime, please continue focusing on taking care of yourself and your loved ones.”
School board vice-president Chris Fegan added, “The board of education realizes the importance of continued learning. We would like to thank the students and parents for being patient and understanding while the school administration works on the best way to continue the students’ education. We would also like to recognize how much work and dedication from the staff this plan will entail. These are definitely difficult times, but we will remain calm and keep the focus on educating our students the best we can with the means in which to do so.”
In a recorded video message to junior and senior high school students and parents on Friday, Principal Eric McCalla said, “Some big changes will be coming for all of you. The teachers and I, along with other administrators in the district, have been developing a learning continuity plan to best educate you going forward. This plan will be rolling out in the next week or two. Please be patient, as this is new for all of us.”
Parents and students can expect more information forthcoming during the next week or so. Watch the school website at manchesterschools.us for further developments.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login