UTICA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Local 4′s Nick Monacelli teamed up with Utica Community Schools (UCS) to test drive one of their buses -- and he found that it wasn’t too difficult.

The state of Michigan releases new COVID school data each Monday. The latest batch of numbers has Macomb County leading the state with outbreaks and cases.

Many Metro Detroit schools are kicking off the academic year this week, and operations will look different for many -- and not just because of COVID-related protocols.

Here are this morning's top stories.

Utica Community Schools is the largest school district in Macomb County and it is opting to start mask optional for fall semester. Superintendent Robert Monroe said it depends on parents and the choices they and their students make as to whether that can continue.

Parents and students weigh in on whether masks should be worn at the beginning of the school year.

After Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said outdoor capacity limits end June 1 some high schools are changing plans and holding traditional graduations.

Senior Alex Hughes will not only be walking into his high school a few more times this year, after graduating, he’s off to Harvard University -- his dream school -- with a perfect SAT score.

Utica Community Schools’ continuing education center has plenty of success stories, but very few have the experience like Hermelinda Sporea does.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Utica Community Schools’ Eisenhower High School sent a letter to parents Monday alerting them the school will be going fully remote starting March 23 until April 19. The school has 40 positive cases and 400 students in quarantine. Related: Students at Shelby Township school returning to remote learning due to ‘significant number’ of COVID casesSpring sports tryouts are being put on hold but winter season sports will be able to complete their seasons as long as the adhere to state Covid-19 testing protocol. AdElsewhere in Macomb County, Warren Consolidated Schools has decided to take the whole district remote the week of April 12, which is the week following spring break, in order to slow the rise in cases across the district.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Students at Eisenhower High School will return to remote learning beginning Tuesday, March 23. The letter stated that students will remain in remote learning through spring vacation, which begins April 2. Following the break, Eisenhower students will follow the previously communicated schedule for the week of April 12. Students participating in winter post-season competition will be able to compete following new guidelines from the state regarding testing. Read more: Return to School section

UTICA, Mich. – The Utica Community Schools (UCS) district said it is “leveraging partnerships” to increase the availability of vaccines to its staff while it moves toward more in-person instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic. Partnerships with the Sterling Heights Fire Department and Henry Ford Medical Center allow district staff additional opportunities to register to receive the vaccine, the district said in a news release Thursday. The district is also working with local pharmacies including Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Meijer and Kroger to increase availability of vaccines for staff. The remaining K-12 students are scheduled for an increase of in-person learning the week of March 15. Eligibility for district staff to receive COVID-19 vaccinations was opened on Jan. 11.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – High school students within the Utica Community Schools district returned to in-person classes this week amid the COVID pandemic. We spoke to some of them in Sterling Heights to learn how the return is going -- watch the report above. Michigan high schools were allowed to resume in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 4 as a part of Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order issued before the holiday break in December. On Dec. 18, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a revised version of the order, which will be in effect until Jan. 15. More: Return To School newsGetting vaccine in MacombFor Macomb County residents make a vaccination appointment, call 586-463-8777, Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.Online appointments can also be made at Macombgov.org/covidvaccine.

UTICA, Mich. – Here’s a look at what students and teachers should expect when returning to in-person learning at high schools within the Utica Community Schools district. Watch the video above. Michigan high schools were allowed to resume in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 4 as a part of Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order issued before the holiday break in December. On Dec. 18, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a revised version of the order, which will be in effect until Jan. 15. More: Return To School newsGetting vaccine in MacombFor Macomb County residents make a vaccination appointment, call 586-463-8777, Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.Online appointments can also be made at Macombgov.org/covidvaccine.

UTICA, Mich. – Utica Community Schools will continue to have students learn remotely through Jan. 15, 2021. School leaders hope to transition students back to classrooms beginning Jan. 19, 2021. “There are no easy answers, and we respect that the pandemic can be the source of strong opposing views. It is important we continue to work in partnership with respect and a commitment to our students,” Interim Superintendent Robert S. Monroe said. Michigan officials announced Sunday that in-person learning will be shut down for college and high school classes for three weeks due to COVID-19.

It is important to know that the state is using two measurements for community spread. “A Level A risk would be the lowest, lowest level of risk,” said Dr. Paul Salah, superintendent of the Huron Valley School District. The district currently has 17 total cases and 58 total quarantines for the year. Currently, the Utica School District has a total of eight or 42 classrooms and four athletic teams quarantined. “I would ask our community to do everything it can,” said Tim McAvory of Utica Community Schools.

UTICA – The remote start to school has been tough for most parents, even more so for Kristin Rosales who has twin girls in first grade and a son in fifth grade. Rosales learned her district -- Utica Community Schools -- is bringing students back, starting with kindergarten, first grade and special education students. “I was very excited when we got the email today (Friday) that we are going to start with K-1 going back. Tim McAvoy from the school district said the district has a plan and is sticking to it. This phase also includes middle school athletics and starts next week.

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UTICA, Mich. – Utica Community Schools will be offering a remote classroom with the option to transition to in-person learning and a 100 percent online virtual academy. READ: More return to school coverageThe UCS Virtual Academy is a completely online program taught by UCS teachers. If a student in the virtual academy wants to return to the classroom, they will be assigned to the school in their attendance area. Class days at the virtual academy will follow traditional daily school schedules and calendar. Click here for more information about the virtual academy

UTICA, Mich. Families who want their Utica Community Schools students to return to school completely virtually can now register. The full virtual academy is offered through Utica Community Schools. The academy is completely online and open to families seeking a full virtual option for their children this fall. The UCS Virtual Academy will provide the high standards of quality instruction and support that our community expects and will be delivered by a UCS highly qualified teacher, Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. Officials said students who enroll in the academy will get a district-owned device.

UTICA, Mich. – The superintendent of Utica Community Schools has announced she’s retiring this fall. “I’m 100% confident that we will do as good a job as is humanly possible under these circumstances,” said Utica School Board president Bob Ross. “I think it’s been time for a new leadership, so I’m looking forward to better collaboration with between the Association and the district,” said Utica Education Association president Liza Parkinson. “There was a tremendous amount of friction between the Utica Education Association and the superintendent,” Parkinson said. The school board said they’ll hire an interim superintendent for the upcoming 2020-21 school year while they begin a nationwide search for Johns’ replacement.

UTICA, Mich. – On Monday a contract agreement was ratified between Utica Community Schools and the Utica Education Association. The new agreement with the 1,450 UCS teachers runs through June 30, 2022. The Director of School and Community Relations Tim McAvoy released the following statement:"Today, a contract agreement was ratified between Utica Community Schools (UCS) and the Utica Education Association (UEA). The new agreement with the 1,450 UCS teachers runs through June 30, 2022 and provides stability for the school district, allowing them to focus on the needs of their students. Across our community, teachers, staff members, and district leaders have embodied leadership and service in the midst of a very difficult time.

DETROIT – The clock is ticking for middle schools, high schools and colleges to figure out virtual graduation ceremonies amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. But there is uncertainty on what graduation day the first week in June might actually look like -- if it does have to be virtual. They have also been in contact with organizations seeking technical support and creative input to make a virtual graduation special. On Tuesday, Microsoft stepped in with a program for 1,000 schools. The first 1,000 schools to sign up will need a 4-6 week window to let Microsoft make the graduation happen.

UTICA, Mich. – Remote learning has become the new norm for students as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, and while there are many challenges associated with learning from home, Utica Community Schools have found a solution. A group of district workers loaned laptops to parents from Henry Ford II High School on Friday. But while it’s new for now, students will have to get used to remote learning. Utica Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said when school resumes, online learning could still be involved. “That’ possibly where we could be.”But for now, the laptops are key to helping students get through the current learning landscape.

Utica Community Schools pass out laptops to students for remote learningPublished: April 17, 2020, 5:44 pmRemote learning has become the new norm for students as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, and while there are many challenges associated with learning from home, Utica Community Schools have found a solution.

UTICA, Mich. – A longtime band director at Eisenhower High School in Utica was arraigned Thursday on child sexual abuse charges. Christopher Traskal, 42, is charged with one count of sexual abusive activity and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. READ: Ex-Utica Eisenhower High School band director charged with sex crimes against childrenHe is also accused of befriending a middle school student and sexually assaulting her when she was in high school. Utica Community Schools released this statement in October:“Our school district is following all district policies and procedures regarding personnel matters. The district does not publicly discuss personnel matters and works closely with law enforcement as part of any investigation.

UTICA, Mich. – A longtime band director at Eisenhower High School in Utica has been charged with child sexual abuse. READ: Ex-Utica Eisenhower High School band director charged with sex crimes against childrenHe is also accused of befriending a middle school student and sexually assaulting her when she was in high school. He is facing two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Utica Community Schools released this statement in October:“Our school district is following all district policies and procedures regarding personnel matters. The district does not publicly discuss personnel matters and works closely with law enforcement as part of any investigation.

UTICA, Mich. – The recent announcement from the Utica Community Schools to extend Christmas break had a lot of people talking Wednesday. What about the parents that work and thought their kids would be in school on January 2 and 3? Now they have to scramble to find childcare for them.”A spokesperson for Utica Schools released this statement:“UCS continues to bargain in good faith with its teachers’ association. Working collaboratively, we mutually agreed to another component of the district calendar. An important factor that impacts the school calendar is a change in state law related to professional development days.

Utica Community Schools teachers who are angry over stalled contract negotiations picketed the districts board of education meeting Monday. The union and the district have been talking since March, but there is still no contract. This is our second time around having to fight this hard for a contract, said Liza Parkinson, Utica Education Association president. In previous contracts, during that time the teachers did receive half step increases for additional compensation for six of those nine years, McAvoy said. The proposals at this level have not been accepted at the vast majority of school districts in Macomb county or the region.

Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty ImagesSHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. - As technology changes, so does the way students are taught. At Utica Community Schools, students begin learning about internet safety at a young age. The Digital Citizens program teaches students privacy, online safety, and what is right and wrong when it comes to using the internet. There's also a website that helps parents teach their children online safety. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.