K-12

The New Jersey State Board of Education on adopted a K-12 climate change education, making New Jersey the first state to require learning about the issue.

The vast majority of Florida's public school districts closed at least one day this week as the storm made its way across the state.

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI – The Muskegon Heights Public Schools Board of Education says the district’s K-12 academy system has three weeks to submit a written plan of corrective actions to address ongoing concerns related to teacher shortages, its ongoing superintendent search, and more. The public school board held a joint meeting Tuesday, Sept. 27, with the Muskegon Heights Academy System board to discuss some of the issues that parents have raised concerns about this year, like significant staffing shortages at the middle and high school.

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp says he wants Georgia to provide grants to school districts to help students catch up on what they didn’t learn because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

GRAND BLANC, MI – Every K-12 administrator knows. Grand Blanc Community Schools adjusted its schedule from seven “Late Start Wednesdays” throughout the school year to six “Virtual Fridays” for the 2022-23 school year, with the first virtual Friday last week. In November last year, the district sent a letter to families with a survey on the change from late start to virtual Fridays. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grand Blanc used a similar system. A full list of Virtual Friday instruction days are available on the Grand Blanc website, under the official 2022-23 calendar.

Results of a new survey suggest that parental fears over their children's safety at school has spiked this year, amid mounting concerns about gun violence.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova joined Sports Seriously and gave her take on if she thinks Serena Williams is the GOAT of tennis.

The Dearborn Public School District will continue to offer all K-12 students free breakfast and lunch on school days for the upcoming school year.

The Dearborn Public School District will continue to offer all K-12 students free breakfast and lunch on school days for the upcoming school year.

After six seasons at Chesaning, John Mimranek decided to move back to the Tri-Valley Conference. Mimranek took the job at Alma Public Schools as the K-12 special education supervisor at about the same time Dan Falor decided not to return as the Alma High School football coach.

An Airport High School social studies teacher has been named 2022 Michigan History Teacher of the Year.

The Biden administration is working with state school districts to offer mental health services to children K-12.

YPSILANTI, MI - Ypsilanti Community Schools has selected a veteran educator with a variety of experiences in the K-12 world as its next principal of Ypsilanti Community High School. The district announced Saturday, July 16, that Chelsea Harris-Hugan will transition from leading YCS’ Achieving Career & College Education program to the principal job. Harris-Hugan replaces Cory Gildersleeve, who recently took the job as principal of Wayne Memorial High School in the Wayne-Westland Community Schools district. Gildersleeve was appointed high school principal after being promoted from assistant principal to interim principal in November 2016. READ MORE:Ypsilanti Community Schools voters pass non-homestead millageFree ice cream helps Ypsilanti schools connect with families during summer vacationWashtenaw County schools lay out budget projections for next year

With the U.S. Senate poised to defy all expectations and actually pass bipartisan gun-safety legislation in the wake of last month’s deadly mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y., a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll shows that clear majorities of Americans support each of the deal’s major provisions.

At least 185 children, teachers and other people have lost their lives in school shootings since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, according to a Washington Post database. Over 23 years, the photographs that follow when first responders rush to a massacre begin to look eerily similar.

The largest school outbreak involved 62 students and staff at Dewitt High School in Clinton County, which was one of seven outbreaks involving 10 or more infected people. In total, 343 students and staff had positive COVID cases linked to school outbreaks last week. Michigan’s latest outbreaks report marks a continued upward trend. During the prior week, state health officials identified 104 new outbreaks, with 48 school outbreaks and 287 infected students and staff. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county.

Michigan health officials identified 104 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week, including 48 linked to K-12 schools and 48 involving long-term care facilities. The school outbreaks included in the state’s latest report, updated Tuesday, May 10, involved 287 students and staff. That’s up from last week, when there were 35 school outbreaks reported involving 229 infected students and staff. The recent increase in reported outbreaks was expected as the contagious omicron subvariant BA.2 continues to spread, leading to more cases and higher test positivity. Outside of schools, the state reported 48 outbreaks at long-term care facilities, though they don’t indicate which facilities.

Senate Bill 832 would invest $17.9 billion in K-12 education, a total increase of $938 million.

The Republican-led Michigan Senate on Wednesday approved a 5% increase in base funding for K-12 schools but pared back Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's proposals to recruit and retain teachers and did not include her proposed $1 billion fund for...

The Republican-led Michigan Senate has approved a 5% increase in base funding for K-12 schools but pared back Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposals to recruit and retain teachers and didn't include her proposed $1 billion fund for school infrastructure projects.

Michigan health officials discovered a spike in COVID-19 outbreaks last week, with a large number of new clusters associated with K-12 schools. Most school outbreaks in recent months have involved less than 10 students and/or staff. School outbreaks were reported across 14 counties, including Allegan, Alpena, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Monroe, Ottawa, Washtenaw and Wayne. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions.

LANSING, MI – Republican lawmakers in Michigan want to prohibit student athletes who are “biologically built like a boy,” according to the bill’s sponsor, from participating in girls’ sports by imposing a funding penalty through the statewide K-12 school budget. The GOP-controlled House Appropriations Committee approved the House School Aid budget proposal, House Bill 5795, in a vote along party lines this week. The proposed $20 billion budget includes a $9,000 per-pupil allowance for Michigan schools and $514 million for teacher retention programs for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Democrats say public sector collective bargaining is a top priority. County workers could get new rights in Colorado, but education sector workers won’t.

Health officials identified found 50 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week in Michigan, including 15 associated with K-12 schools and 24 tied to long-term care facilities. School outbreaks were reported across six Michigan counties, including Eaton, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, Washtenaw and Wayne. In total, 59 students and staff were infected by SARS-CoV-2 with a link back to school, according to the Department of Health and Human Services’ latest outbreaks report updated Monday, April 25.

School outbreaks were spread across three counties including Bay, Washtenaw and Wayne. In total, 45 students and staff tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, according to a state health department report published Monday, April 18. Michigan’s known outbreaks total has been declining for weeks, likely due to the reduced transmission of coronavirus, as well as eased reporting requirements. The largest school outbreaks reported over the last week involved seven students and staff, while the smallest involved four. They include:Canton High School in Wayne County, where seven students tested positive;Whitmore Lake Elementary School in Washtenaw County, where seven students and staff were infected;Eberwhite Elementary School in Ann Arbor, where six students tested positive;St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School in Ann Arbor, where six students and staff developed COVID;McAlear Sawden Elementary in Bay City, where five students tested positive;Thurston Elementary in Ann Arbor, where five students and staff got sick;Gallimore Elementary School in Canton Township, where five students tested positive;Mitchell Elementary School in Ann Arbor, where four students and staff were infected.

Postsecondary outcomes like college enrollment, employment rates, and median wages after high school will start to factor into how Indiana gauges school performance.

After blowing past a midnight deadline on Friday, Illinois lawmakers emerged with a budget plan that includes more money for K-12 education with tax relief and direct checks to families.

There are thousands of eighth grade students in the Detroit school district, and officials want just as many to attend high school in Detroit.

MUSKEGON, MI - The artistic talents of K-12 Muskegon County students are now on display at the annual student art exhibition at the Muskegon Art Museum. From March 31 through May 1, guests of the museum can view two and three-dimensional artworks in a variety of media from 11 different Muskegon County school districts, according to a press release from the Muskegon County Museum of Art. The event, in its 40th year, is done in partnership with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District. Art specialists from each participating school selected the student artwork to be included in the exhibition. The school systems participating in this year’s event are Fruitport, Holton, Mona Shores, Montague, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights PSA, North Muskegon, Oakridge, Orchard View, Reeths-Puffer and Whitehall, the release said.

Colorado’s proposed $36 billion 2022-23 budget places significantly more money into K-12 classrooms and higher education while avoiding steep tuition hikes.

Michigan identified 24 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week, including 13 linked to K-12 schools and involving 82 students and staff. The remaining outbreaks were identified in Genesee, Oakland, Saginaw and Washtenaw counties, according to the state’s latest outbreaks report updated Monday, March 28. In recent months, the state has reduced the types of settings included in its weekly outbreaks reports. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions.

The two largest new school outbreaks were reported at Lakeview Middle School in Battle Creek and Sampson-Webber Leadership Academy in Detroit. In total, 76 students and staff were sickened by the latest school outbreaks, according the latest outbreaks report published Monday, March 21, by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Monday’s report included 16 new and 319 ongoing outbreaks, for a total of 335 active clusters. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Rockford Public Schools has canceled classes on Friday, March 18, so the community can go cheer on the girls basketball team at their state Division 1 semifinal game. The schedule change is meant to allow students and staff to attend the Michigan High School Athletics Association girls basketball Division 1 semifinals. The Rams punched their ticket to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University after defeating East Lansing 54-43 Tuesday. Rockford enrolled 7,730 students last school year, according to the most recent state date. Tickets to the semifinals game can be purchased on the Michigan State University Athletics website for $12 per person.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that three Michigan schools will receive $900,000 each, or a combined $2.7 million in funding to support the statewide K-12 expansion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)...

JACKSON, MI - Nearly 20 Jackson-area K-12 schools, preschool programs and community partners will participate in a one-day virtual job fair aimed at helping address ongoing teacher and staff shortages. The Jackson County Intermediate School District, Michigan Works! Southeast and the State of Michigan have teamed up for the Jackson County Educator & School Staff Virtual Job Fair, on Tuesday, March 15, with the intent of helping fill a variety of positions for the 2022-23 school year. “This virtual job fair is your one-stop-shop to connect with the many schools and early childhood centers throughout Jackson County.”The nearly 20 employers participating, include several public, private and charter schools, early childhood centers, and Jackson College. Positions range from teachers, substitute teachers and administrators, to bus drivers, paraprofessionals and specialized support staff.

Michigan health officials identified seven new COVID-19 outbreaks associated with K-12 schools last week, all of which were located in Wayne County. Among the school outbreaks, the largest involved 18 students and staff at Edison Elementary in Detroit. The rest of the school outbreaks were reported in Detroit, Canton Township and Plymouth. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation that will immediately restrict participation in women's college and K-12 sports to biological females.

Michigan health officials identified 50 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week, including 17 linked to K-12 schools and 30 associated with long-term care facilities. Among the 17 new outbreaks linked to schools, the largest involved seven students testing positive at Powers Catholic High School in Flint. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions. Check Michigan map to see where CDC puts your local COVID threatWith at-home testing on the rise, do we really know COVID cases are going down in Michigan?

Michigan health officials identified 100 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week, including 24 linked to K-12 schools and 58 associated with long-term care facilities. Among the 24 new outbreaks linked to schools, five clusters involved at least 10 individuals. Below is an online database that allows readers to search outbreak data by school name or by city or county. In addition to school-related outbreaks, Michigan identified 12 outbreaks linked to childcare programs, five associated with jails or detention centers, and one outbreak tied to healthcare. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions.

Wayne County health officials are no longer requiring students to wear face masks while at school.

Michigan is altering its indoor mask guidance, including in K-12 schools, to reflect the improving COVID-19 picture throughout the state. On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the state health department announced a withdrawal of its public health advisory on masking in indoor public settings, which was put in place in November. The advisory recommended all people wear a face mask indoors in public settings, regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, masking requirements can be put in place by local health departments, organizations, businesses, event organizers, and/or school districts. They include:Response – Local and state public health implement rapid response to a surge.

DPSCD will wait for a recommendation from the city health department, even as other Michigan counties have lifted their mask mandates.

An outbreak is defined by the state health department as two or more cases linked by place and time, indicating shared exposure outside households. Among the six types of settings the state is following, long-term care facilities had the most new outbreaks with 64. Below is an interactive map of active COVID outbreaks noted in the Jan. 24 K-12 school outbreaks report. By category, the outbreaks totaled:452 outbreaks (56 new and 393 ongoing) at K-12 schools. The state health department has shifted away from individual-level case investigation and contact tracing.

For a lucky number seven straight years, the Michigan Lottery upped the ante by sending a record-breaking amount of cash to the state’s School Aid Fund. The Michigan Lottery bankrolled $1.4 billion for the School Aid Fund in fiscal year 2021, continuing a three-year hot streak of $1 billion payouts. The Michigan Lottery recorded $5 billion in sales and more than $3.1 billion in prizes to players. Whitmer’s 2022-2023 budget proposal includes a record-breaking $18.4 billion school aid budget. The budget also creates a $1 billion fund help school districts offset the cost modernization and infrastructure projects.

Washtenaw County health officials are lifting their COVID orders for all K-12 schools at the end of February.

Health officials identified 99 new COVID-19 outbreaks linked to Michigan’s K-12 schools last week. This is down from the previous week, when the state reported 126 new COVID-19 outbreaks, infecting at least 983 students and staff at elementary, middle and high schools statewide. In addition to the new outbreaks, the state noted 391 ongoing outbreaks from previous weekly reports. An outbreak is defined by the state health department as three or more cases linked by place and time, indicating a shared exposure outside of a household. Outbreak data for K-12 schools includes only cases of people or staff members infected at school or at school-related functions.

Michigan has seen a 32% decrease in K-12 schools requiring masking from the first month of the 2021-22 academic year until early February, despite the state’s COVID-19 infections being more than quadruple what they were in the fall. As of Thursday, Feb. 3, there were 174 traditional public school districts operating with mask mandates. That’s compared to 257 such districts in mid-September meaning 112,785 fewer students are required to wear a mask as a means to curb viral transmission.

GRPS updated its COVID-19 protocols to reflect new isolation and quarantine guidelines for students and staff this week, according to an announcement emailed to families Sunday, Jan. 30. GRPS is continuing to require face coverings indoors for all students, staff and visitors this winter. Unvaccinated students and staff who live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 are required to quarantine, according to the district’s updated protocols. K-12 staff who are unvaccinated must quarantine for 10 days, while Pre-K staff and K-12 students who are unvaccinated are required to quarantine for 15 days. However, school officials did recommend that unvaccinated students and staff quarantine if they are a close contact, the guidance said.

Health officials identified 240 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week, the state reported Monday, Jan. 31. Ongoing outbreaks have had at least one new case within the last 28 days. Below is an interactive map of active COVID outbreaks noted in the Jan. 24 K-12 school outbreaks report. Region 2S (city of Detroit and Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties): 132 clusters, with 38 new and 94 ongoing outbreaks. Outbreaks are removed from the database when there are no additional cases through a 14-day period, state health officials have said.

CLIO, MI -- Clio Area Schools students will now have the option to take their masks off after the Board of Education voted to remove the requirement from grades K-12. The school district moved from 155 positive COVID-19 cases and more than 600 probable cases two weeks ago to now just 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 13 probable cases, according to a news release from Superintendent Fletcher Spears. Many Genesee County school districts have taken different approaches in dealing with the latest surge in COVID-19 cases. Both Beecher Community Schools and Grand Blanc Community Schools announced short periods of virtual learning to get staff back on board from quarantining. Flint Community Schools is still learning virtually since the beginning of the new year.

It was not immediately clear if the state would require a negative test before students would be allowed to return to school after the recess.

Michigan health officials identified 217 new COVID-19 outbreaks last week, according to the state’s weekly coronavirus report updated Monday, Jan. 24. Combined with 439 ongoing outbreaks from prior weekly reports, the Department of Health and Human Services was aware of 656 active outbreaks as of this week. Below is an interactive map of active COVID outbreaks noted in the Jan. 24 K-12 school outbreaks report. Region 2S (city of Detroit and Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties): 55 clusters, with 33 new and 22 ongoing outbreaks. Outbreaks are removed from the database when there are no additional cases through a 14-day period, state health officials have said.

PA education secretary Noe Ortega testifies at fair funding trial that the state cannot reach its goals for post-secondary enrollment and completion without investing more in K-12 education.

Michigan health officials identified at least 185 new COIVD-19 outbreaks last week, according to the state’s weekly coronavirus report updated Tuesday, Jan. 18. Combined with the 380 ongoing outbreaks from prior weekly reports, the Department of Health and Human Services was aware of 565 active outbreaks as of this week. Below is an interactive map of active COVID outbreaks noted in the Jan. 18 K-12 school outbreaks report. Region 2N (Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties): 38 clusters, with 10 new and 28 ongoing outbreaks. Region 2S (city of Detroit and Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties): 62 clusters, with 41 new and 21 ongoing outbreaks.

Democrats touted the pending arrival of universal preschool while Republicans said they have the answers to parent frustrations with pandemic education.

Staff members at Detroit public schools will soon be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19 if they have not already, officials announced Friday.

In-person and virtual classes have been canceled for Detroit public schools next week as the district conducts widespread COVID testing and works to establish a learning plan amid an ongoing virus surge.

Several schools have closed because of threats of violence. Each threat has to be taken seriously, but the closures are having an impact on students.

“We’re engaged in a trade-off right now,” Dr. Navin said. “We know that school is good for kids, we know COVID is bad for kids and we’ve decided that a little bit of COVID is the price worth paying to have kids in school.”

Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw counties are keeping their K-12 school mask mandates in place, but it’s a mixed bag across the rest of the state.

Washtenaw County health officials have issued an emergency order that will require face masks to be worn at all K-12 schools this fall.

We’re tracking which Michigan school districts and colleges are requiring face masks to be worn during the upcoming school year amid the ongoing COVID pandemic.

Here’s what’s coming up on Local 4 News at 4:

Oakland County said the increase in cases is the reason it’s mandating masks at all K-12 schools. It’s decision not everyone is happy with.

Face masks will be required to be worn inside all Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district buildings until at least Oct. 31, 2021.

Allen Park’s public school district has adopted a universal masking policy for the upcoming school year amid the ongoing pandemic.

Face masks will be required to be worn inside all Dearborn Public Schools buildings at least until Oct. 1, 2021.

All students attending Warren Consolidated Schools (WCS) this fall will be required to wear face masks as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan.

We’re tracking which Michigan school districts and colleges are requiring face masks to be worn during the upcoming school year amid the ongoing COVID pandemic.

With most students and educators returning to in-person learning this fall amid the ongoing pandemic, several questions still remain about how things will operate in the classroom.

Starting high school can understandably create nervousness among parents and kids.

“Back to school” is going to mean something a little different for each community this year, and experts say it’s important to prepare for what that will look like for your family.

Students at Chippewa Valley Schools will not be required to wear face masks when heading back to the classroom this fall.

The state of Virginia has a new public health order that mandates masks for all students and staff in K-12 schools.

As K-12 schools prepare to resume in-person learning in Michigan and across the nation this fall, many are discussing whether children should be required to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Detroit mayor Mike Duggan will try to clinch a third term as the city’s mayor this fall after advancing in the Aug. 3 primary election.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan funding bill on Wednesday giving Michigan’s K-12 schools a boost.

Here's what's coming up on Local 4 News at 5.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill into law Wednesday morning that significantly increases funding for K-12 schools.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a supplemental spending bill that releases $4.4 billion in federal coronavirus rescue funding designated for K-12 schools.

The Michigan Senate has voted unanimously to allocate nearly $4.4 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to K-12 schools after Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration reached an agreement.

Michigan is tracking coronavirus outbreaks in schools across the state.

The city of Detroit is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government, and Detroiters are being asked to share their thoughts on how the money should be spent during a meeting Tuesday.

Utah’s governor says the state has no plans to renew a mask order for K-12 schools next fall.

The state got nearly $1.8 billion to help schools under the package enacted in late December. Noting that GOP legislators had not negotiated with her, the governor vetoed $652 million in other aid, including $97 million in federal school funds, until a deal is reached. The House on Wednesday quickly passed bills to restore the $652 million that was vetoed, including $405 million in state funding for pandemic-affected businesses. But many Democrats voted no, pointing out — as the governor has — that GOP legislators did not include all federal funding for rental home and food assistance. Michigan is due to receive billions in additional funding under the package headed to Biden's desk, including $3.8 billion for schools.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, talks Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Detroit about the initiative to give about 51,000 K-12 public school students in Detroit computer tablets and high-speed internet to help transition from classroom to virtual learning during the coronavirus pandemic. As schools closed in March as part of the state's stay home order to slow the spread of the virus many suburban districts quickly moved teaching online. Detroit lagged because nine of 10 students don't have access to tablets, computers or the internet. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In a letter to families, Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) officials announced that all grade levels at all schools will resume face-to-face learning beginning Monday, March 8. Students do still have the option to continue with online learning even as schools reopen amid the pandemic. Earlier this week, Detroit public schools reopened learning centers in the city following COVID-related closures, allowing students to learn remotely while in a classroom setting. Gretchen Whitmer “strongly encouraged” Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the beginning of March. Whitmer gave for Michigan schools returning to in-person learningWhitmer’s administration prohibited face-to-face learning for high schools in mid-November to help curb the spiking coronavirus cases.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Teachers feeling pressure to return to the classroom without being fully vaccinated want parents and administrators to step back and pause. The Ann Arbor Public School District has 18,000 students who have been learning remotely since last March. Teachers are concerned about being pushed back into the classroom without being fully protected against COVID-19. READ: More education coverageDuring a recent K-12 Alliance Michigan meeting, the threat of declining mental health of students, teachers and parents is now rising to the top of a list of concerns that includes COVID-19. On Wednesday night, the board voted to bring some students back to face-to-face learning if their family situation cannot accommodate remote learning any longer.

LANSING, Mich. – Parents and student athletes rallied in Lansing Saturday to urge state officials to resume winter sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. “The kids need to play. “Going forward, these kids need something. “The opportunities that these kids are missing out on are building relationships with their friends and community,” Hutson said. It’s absolutely terrible.”More: Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is pushing for high school sports to resume before the current Feb. 21 deadline. There was a legislative hearing Thursday that resulted in an unanimous senate resolution that said high school sports should start earlier. The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s executive director, Mark Uyl, held a press conference Friday where he said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. AdMark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association spoke out Friday on the hiatus of winter sports in the state. They are asking for the state to resume practice and competition in the four main contact sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. Let Them Play, Inc. has been threatening a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are resumed by Monday. Mark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

Michigan parents are in the process of filing a lawsuit against the state over the current pause on high school sports amid the coronavirus pandemic. A few have scholarship opportunities ... it’s part of the health and the welfare of the kids.”More: Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sportsAs coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths rose rapidly at the end of 2020, high school sports were put on pause in Michigan to help curb virus spread. Gretchen Whitmer is urging schools to resume in-person learning by March 1, and has extended the pause on high school sports until at least Feb. 21 under Michigan’s latest epidemic order. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti added. “One only needs to ask any winter ‘contact’ sport athlete and they will tell you we are sending mixed and contradictory messages to them.”More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, talks Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Detroit about the initiative to give about 51,000 K-12 public school students in Detroit computer tablets and high-speed internet to help transition from classroom to virtual learning during the coronavirus pandemic. As schools closed in March as part of the state's stay home order to slow the spread of the virus many suburban districts quickly moved teaching online. Detroit lagged because nine of 10 students don't have access to tablets, computers or the internet. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Friday announced that the tools and practices are in place for public schools to safely bring more students back into the classrooms. The governor wants schools to have their own in-person learning plans in place by March 1 after many Michigan schools shifted to remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic -- and parents and students are eager to return to school. Whitmer encourages Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by March 1“As a parent, I know how hard it has been to not have children engaged in in-person learning,” said the state’s chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun Friday. Still, parents like Michelle Phillips -- who has five kids in K-12 schools -- are cautiously optimistic about students returning to in-person instruction. “My children will be very happy to be back in school, but we also want to be safe,” Phillips said.

Gretchen Whitmer on Friday strongly encouraged all K-12 schools in Michigan to offer in-person instruction by March 1, stopping short of requiring it but saying face-to-face classes should at least be an option. “The value of in-person learning for our kids is immeasurable,” Whitmer said, adding it is safe if schools require masks and adopt infection-prevention protocols. The Democratic governor last month lifted her administration’s temporary ban on in-person learning in high schools as a spike in COVID-19 infections receded. Under a 2020 law, Michigan schools that deem it safe to provide face-to-face classes during the pandemic must prioritize the option for K-5 students. The governor said she did not attempt to force schools to offer some in-person instruction because there are hundreds of districts and charter schools with differing circumstances.

Leaders from across Michigan believe school districts will require $1 billion in state and federal support in order to recover from the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Since the onset of the pandemic, schools, teachers and students have been forced to adjust to an ever-changing learning landscape. Michigan schools have had to apply various learning models and implement health and safety protocols in an effort to prevent students and staff from catching or spread COVID. School leaders are worried that there could be tens of thousands of students who fell all the way through the cracks because of the pandemic. Leaders say Thursday, however, that that’s only a small fraction of what they’ll need moving forward.

GROSSE POINTE, Mich. – All students within the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) are returning to remote learning next week as coronavirus spread worsens among the community. Students receiving special education programs and services will also switch to a virtual instruction on Monday. Superintendent Gary C. Niehaus says that, similarly to other districts, Grosse Pointe schools are facing staffing issues amid rising COVID-19 cases in Michigan, as teachers are forced to quarantine due to coronavirus exposure. Buildings will be open for GPPSS staff to access their classrooms, materials and technology. Click here for a list of COVID-19 cases and their associated schools within the GPPSS community.

TROY, Mich. – The Troy School District is switching to remote learning as increased coronavirus spread impacts the community and their teaching staff. All K-12 students in the Troy School District will continue their education virtually only beginning on Monday, November 9. The district already canceled all in-person learning for high school students this week on Tuesday due to the impact of coronavirus spread. Oakland County has specifically struggled with coronavirus spread recently. “... we will evaluate whether the data, trends and public health guidance will necessitate an extended return to virtual learning,” Machesky wrote.

OXFORD, Mich. – In-person learning at Oxford Middle School has been canceled for the remainder of the week as a precautionary measure due to rising COVID-19 cases among the community. Officials announced Tuesday that students at Oxford Middle School will switch to remote learning for Oct. 7-9 as the district works with the county health department to confirm positive COVID-19 cases. “Rather than risking potential additional exposures in the interim, we are choosing to temporarily close Oxford Middle School for the remainder of the week. Oxford Middle School students are expected to engage in virtual learning for the remainder of the week. Students can return to school for in-person learning on Tuesday, Oct. 13, following an already-scheduled break on Monday, officials said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan schools are now required to notify the public about any probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19 within 24 hours under a new emergency order. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) director Robert Gordon issued an emergency order Tuesday that will requires K-12 schools to publicly disclose any probable or confirmed virus cases on their website within 24 hours of learning of the cases. The MDHHS says local health departments will continue to conduct contact tracing and directly communicate with individuals who may have been exposed in addition to the schools' required public notices. Tuesday’s order comes just after the MDHHS issued a new order Monday requiring face masks, restricting gathering sizes and limiting some businesses following the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling against Gov. Monday’s emergency order maintains some of Whitmer’s orders that have been deemed invalid by the state Supreme Court’s decision.