Michigan Department of Health shortening isolation and quarantine guidance for K-12 schools
The new guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that you should isolate for five days if you test positive for COVID. Then, if you donโt have symptoms, you can return to school as long as you are wearing a well-fitted mask for six to 10 days.
Nightside Report Feb. 3, 2021: Extending Michiganโs school year? It could happen, teacher representatives say; Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine appears to reduce coronavirus spread
It could happen, teacher representatives sayDETROIT โ The battle to provide education for all during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to become more and more complicated. State superintendent Dr. Michael Rice called on the state Legislature to extend the school year Tuesday for students to make up for the lost time. Students need a break.โClick here to read more. 4 Fast FactsBe InformedOxford-AstraZeneca vaccine appears to reduce coronavirus spreadResults from the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine trial show that the vaccine may actually help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to effectively preventing infection. Recent findings from the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine trial imply that the vaccine might be effective at reducing coronavirus transmission.
Extending Michiganโs school year? It could happen, teacher representatives say
LANSING, Mich. โ The battle to provide education for all during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to become more and more complicated. READ: Return To SchoolState superintendent Dr. Michael Rice called on the state Legislature to extend the school year Tuesday for students to make up for the lost time. โThis school year, in and of itself, canโt even last five minutes longer,โ said Paula Herbart, the president of the Michigan Education Association. Students need a break.โItโs undeniable that the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years have exhausted teachers. Detroit Public Schools Community District superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said he canโt realistically extend the school year, but he can expand learning opportunities in every neighborhood.
Michigan governor, Republican leaders announce bipartisan budget agreement, call on Congress for resources
Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield released the following statement after reaching a bipartisan budget agreement, which includes adjustments to the fiscal year 2020 budget and allocation of Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars. Read the statement:โCOVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our state budget. This agreement provides crucial funding for Michigan families, schools, and communities grappling with costs incurred as a result of the virus. Whitmer and legislative leaders for working together to minimize the negative impact on schools, students and public education employees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This budget agreement prevents education funding cuts for the current fiscal year and, looking ahead, will help finalize plans to safely reopen schools in the fall.
MEA Survey: class sizes, testing and more needs to change for school in the fall
The highest was in elementary schools where 97 percent of responders said it would be difficult to keep students socially distant. READ: Ann Arbor Public Schools: Classes to start on Aug. 31In addition, 90 percent said schools would need smaller class sizes. The MEA is also planning to lobby Congress and Legislative leaders for more funding, particularly through the CARES Act. Without direction from state or federal leaders it could very well leave districts and their students across the state in limbo. The survey now heads to the Governors School Reopening Task Force for review.