RETURN TO LEARN

Officials with the Detroit Public Schools Community District said 92% of students have already returned their consent forms to show they’re ready to return to in-person classes.

“Because many students have yet to be vaccinated and students under age 12 are not yet eligible, layered prevention measures, including universal masking, must be put in place for consistent in-person learning to keep kids, staff and families safe,” reads a MDHHS release.

Michigan health officials are strongly recommending schools to require universal masking when students return for in-person learning.

OXFORD, Mich. – A COVID-19 outbreak has forced Oxford High School to return to virtual learning as 200 students are being quarantined, school officials confirm. The shift to remote learning is in effect through this week, and officials hope to return to in-person instruction on March 22, according to the school website. Of those student cases, one is at Daniel Axford Elementary, six are at Oxford Middle School and 11 are at Oxford High School, the data shows. There are exactly 201 Oxford High School students -- 10% of the student population -- quarantining due to potential exposure to a school-related case, according to the data. Three Oxford Middle School staff members are under quarantine due to potential exposure in a school-related case, the website says.

DETROIT – An estimated 20,000 Detroit Public School Community District students are set to return to classrooms Monday, but their teachers may not be there. READ: Detroit public schools to resume in-person learning on March 8The DPSCD said there are not enough teachers who are willing to go back into classrooms to meet the demand. AdREAD: Student demand for in-person learning far outweighs the number of teachers willing to return in DetroitSome parents spoke out and said they don’t want their children to be taught on a screen in a classroom. Even thought schools within the DPSCD will return to in-person learning Monday, some parents -- like Kimble and Ta’Mara Williams -- are choosing to keep their students at home. “The teachers are not ready and the students are not ready as well.”The bottom line is that the in-person demand for in-person learning exceeds number of teachers willing to return to the classroom.

READ: Detroit public schools to resume in-person learning on March 8That amounts to about 20,000 children, but Detroit teachers willing to return to the classroom are only about at 20-30%. Detroit teachers were moved to the head of the line and anybody wishing to have the vaccine has had access. “We’re going to need services relative to trauma, we need mental health services,” Martin said. Constant cleaning, a max of 20 children per classroom, masks and social distancing, plus an extra $750 per quarter for teachers willing to return to the classroom. In the beginning Vitti says, “There will be a disconnect between family demand for in person learning and teachers willing to teach in person.”More: Return To School

DETROIT – Detroit public schools officially announced Monday that they will return to in-person learning on March 8. The Detroit Public Schools Community District’s return to in-person learning includes all schools and grade levels, officials said. Detroit students will return to school one week after the state’s recommended date for districts to reopen their classrooms. Recent family and teacher surveys showed twice as many wanted to return to in-person learning than when then 2020-2021 school year began in September. Ad“The decision for (the) Detroit Public Schools Community District to have face-to-face learning as an option was a decision made based upon the current data available,” said Terrence Martin, president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers.

Gretchen Whitmer has created a Student Recovery Advisory Council, which is aimed to help students get back on track during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday (Feb. 4), she signed Executive Order 2021-02 to create the Student Recovery Advisory Council of Michigan. Last summer, Whitmer launched the Return to School Advisory Council to develop a framework to inform K-12 districts planning for the 2020-2021 school year. “It is an honor to serve as the chairperson of the Student Recovery Advisory Council,” Kevin Polston said. Being part of the Return to School Advisory Council is a perfect example of the collaborative and interdisciplinary approach we must take in order to understand the diverse impact of the pandemic and move forward.”

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan has announced its plans for the winter semester, including a no-tolerance approach to COVID-19 safety rules and even more remote learning. Remote learningFor the winter semester, the current remote learning approach will continue, with more courses offered remotely, when possible, the university announced. Implement mandatory weekly testing for all undergraduate students who come to campus to attend in-person classes or activities, use facilities (e.g. Require a negative test for undergraduates departing university housing before returning to their permanent residence. U of M staff members working from home will continue to do so throughout the winter semester.

Gretchen Whitmer held her second COVID-19 briefing of the week Friday to discuss the future of in-person learning, vaccine distribution and how current trends affect the possibility of reopening restaurants in the state. READ: 8 Michigan businesses cited for COVID-19 safety violations, state saysHere are the takeaways from the Jan. 8, 2021, briefing. Public schools encouraged to reopenWhitmer “strongly encouraged” Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the beginning of March. Whitmer recommended schools resume in-person instruction by March 1 or earlier. Vaccine not required for teachersThe governor said she doesn’t think teachers should be required to get the COVID vaccine because support for it is increasing.

Gretchen Whitmer “strongly encouraged” Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the beginning of March. 8 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID briefing: In-person learning, vaccine distribution, restaurantsPublic schools in Michigan were shut down during the fall due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. “The value of in-person learning for our kids is immeasurable, and we must do everything we can to help them get a great education safely,” Whitmer said. Whitmer recommended schools resume in-person instruction by March 1 or earlier. Ensuring school plans are in place in coordination with their local health department if there are any positive COVID-19 tests.

With many school districts in Metro Detroit and across the state of Michigan returning to remote learning, others have recently sent their students back to school. While masks are mandated in all Michigan schools, some have different abilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 with smaller classes, more space, and better ventilation. Parents, administrators, and community members want to know what role schools are playing in Michigan’s COVID-19 spike. There have been outbreaks -- defined as two or more connected COVID-19 cases in people not of the same household -- in Michigan schools. Different districts have different risk tolerance and resources to reduce risk, which is why decisions shave been left up to local leaders.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – The Bloomfield Hills Board of Education decided Friday in-person learning will be paused for at least 21 days. RELATED: West Bloomfield schools fully remote after Oakland County deemed high risk for in-person learningOfficials with the Bloomfield Hills school district said students will finish class in-person Friday, but classes will be done remotely starting Monday. More information can be found on the Bloomfield Hills Schools official website here. The Oakland County Health Division changed the county’s COVID-19 risk determination level to an E, which is the highest level on the chart that provides guidance for in-person learning. Click here to view the Oakland County coronavirus dashboard.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Bloomfield Hills High School is transitioning to a fully remote schedule because of the number of substitute teachers quarantining. RELATED: West Bloomfield schools fully remote after Oakland County deemed high risk for in-person learningOfficials with the Bloomfield Hills school district said several teachers have had to quarantine “out of an abundance of caution.” As a result, the high school will halt in-person classes for the time being. “The building will be open for students to gather belongings and the blood drive on Wednesday, Nov. 4.”Click here to view the Oakland County coronavirus dashboard. The Oakland County Health Department would have contacted anyone needing to quarantine, district officials said. The West Bloomfield School District is going completely remote as of Monday (Nov. 2), at least through Nov. 27.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – The West Bloomfield School District is going fully remote for all students after health officials moved Oakland County to the highest risk level for spreading COVID-19 through in-person instruction. UPDATE: West Bloomfield schools to remain remote through Jan. 15, 2021Last week, the Oakland County Health Division changed the county’s COVID-19 risk determination level to an E, which is the highest level on the chart that provides guidance for in-person learning. The West Bloomfield School District is going completely remote as of Monday (Nov. 2), at least through Nov. 27. West Bloomfield High School and Lakers Online will remain fully remote, officials said. “We appreciate your support, understanding and grace as we work to ensure the safety of our students, staff and their families.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – The West Bloomfield School District is going fully remove for all students after health officials moved Oakland County to the highest risk level for spreading COVID-19. The West Bloomfield School District is going completely remote as of Monday (Nov. 2), at least through Nov. 27. District officials are planning to return to the hybrid instruction model from kindergarten through eighth grade, special education and Oakland Early College on Nov. 30. West Bloomfield High School and Lakers Online will remain fully remote, officials said. “We appreciate your support, understanding and grace as we work to ensure the safety of our students, staff and their families.

DETROIT – Volunteers with the Detroit Public Schools Community District are going door-to-door and trying to get students back in the classroom or in front of a computer screen. School has been in session for more than three weeks, but hundreds of students still haven’t shown up. In a district with ostensibly 51,000 students registered, it amounts to 8% who have somehow gotten lost because of COVID-19. Then they get signed up, signed in and resource packets are handed to families with school supplies and information. Since the canvassing started volunteers have made contact with 2,500 students and an estimated 600 students have already shown up in class, in learning centers or online.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on parents, students and teachers. There are concerns about teachers getting burned out, and the affect could be felt for years. “Our teachers are working twice as hard,” Gutman said. MORE: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schoolsNatalie Ford teaches remotely in the Berkley School District. “People aren’t going into teaching,” Gutman said.

The early and extended closure of school buildings has also heightened the risk of legionella. Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, and it has been detected in several schools near Dayton, Ohio, and in a Pittsburgh suburb. “These things happen with old buildings or buildings that aren’t used often, so, I mean, we trust the experts that they flushed the system,” parent Derek Coatney said. Officials said those guidelines, including testing and flushing water systems, can apply to schools. Hot tubs or spas that have been shut down in gyms could also be a legionella risk.

DETROIT After a long, uncertain summer for schools around Metro Detroit, the first day back was disrupted by severe weather and ongoing concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tuesday was noticeably different as students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District headed back after the summer. DPSCD schools arent as full this year, with some parents opting to keep their children at home for virtual learning. READ: Detroit public schools scramble to prepare for start of uncertain semesterThis is a first for school districts all over Michigan, as nobody truly knows what to expect. Severe weather and power outages greeted the first day of school in metro Detroit.

DETROIT The Detroit Public Schools Community District is scrambling to finish the final preparations for whats sure to be an unusual fall semester. Right now, while all school buildings will be open, some will not be schools, but learning centers. For parents who need to work, their children will be sent to learning centers. Cass Tech and Renaissance are among the high schools that will be learning centers. Its possible in the next week or two that learning centers could be returned to face-to-face classrooms, depending on the mix of willing teachers and willing parents to reenter buildings.

DETROIT The superintendent of Detroit public schools sent a letter to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, asking her to reinstate a fall high school football season across the state. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, addressed the letter to Whitmer and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Officials said at the time that they hope the season can be played this spring. Factually, nothing changed from a players health perspective or risk analysis from strongly stating football would be played to it being postponed.Vitti said he believes politics were involved in the decision to cancel football.

The Michigan governor has signed a bipartisan Return to Learn package of bills outlining instructional requirements for the 2020-2021 school year. These bills will help schools implement their comprehensive safety plans going into the 2020-21 school year. I am proud of this bipartisan package and will continue working with everyone who wants to ensure our schools are safe during COVID-19. Many districts, facing pressure from teachers and mixed reaction among parents, are starting with remote-only instruction due to COVID-19. COVID-19 learning plans must be submitted to its ISD or authorizing body by October 1, 2020.

DETROIT Teachers at Detroit public schools are holding a vote Wednesday that could put a hold on in-person learning, though remote classes could still go on as planned. Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said teachers are voting on whether to give leaders of the Detroit Federation of Teachers the authority to use a possible strike as a bargaining tool. VIEW LIST: Heres what Michigan school districts have planned for the fall amid the pandemicBut the vote could quickly put the brakes on any plans for in-person learning when classes resume. The problem is remote learning isnt feasible for many in the district. Vitti has been a proponent of continuing in-person learning for about 25% of the school population.

DETROIT Teachers at Detroit public schools are calling for a strike vote that could keep them from returning to classrooms for in-person learning. The Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Detroit Public Schools Community District are actively negotiating what the return-to-school plan will look like. VIEW LIST: Heres what Michigan school districts have planned for the fall amid the pandemicBut the strike vote could quickly put the brakes on any plants for in-person learning when classes resume. While negotiations continue with no breakdown during the process, DFT has called for a Wednesday strike vote among its membership. A strike vote is usually called when negotiations have broken down.