Why good attendance is more important than you may think
School is all about learning and so much more. Itโs where friendships are made, and a place to discover new interests and experiences. Every school day counts, and that is why we spoke with Detroit Public Schools Community District about the importance of good attendance.
American Federation of Teachers president calls for schools to fully reopen in the fall
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updating its mask-wearing and COVID-19 testing guidance, the president of the American Federation of Teachers said all children should be back in school five days a week in the fall.
Educators and students react to face-to-face learning resuming in Metro Detroit
ROMEO, Mich. โ Romeo Community Schools hit another milestone on Monday as students returned to full class schedules. The excitement of a return actually started last week as teachers prepared to welcome cohorts back to Romeo High School. New Today: 200 students in quarantine as Oxford High School returns to virtual learning amid COVID outbreakMonday was the day a return to full days, full-time face-to-face learning for high school and middle schoolers finally happened, which means 80 percent of the districtโs students are physically back in class. Rick Boggio, an academy coach at Romeo High School also said Monday felt like the first day of school. The high school operates with a learning system called the Academies at Romeo in which students decide on an area of interest and attend micro-and macro-focused learning that gives real world experience in their area of interest.
Student demand for in-person learning far outweighs the number of teachers willing to return in Detroit
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. โWeโre going to need services relative to trauma, we need mental health services,โ 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, โThere will be a disconnect between family demand for in person learning and teachers willing to teach in person.โMore: Return To School
Ann Arbor school board votes to offer hybrid learning option
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ After being fully remote for almost a year, the Ann Arbor Public Schools will be transitioning to a hybrid option by the end of March. Ann Arbor is one of the only districts in the state which has not offered any type of hybrid learning option up to this point. READ: Parent advocacy group โcelebratesโ Ann Arbor School Boardโs decision to offer hybrid learningAdThe Ann Arbor City Council sent a letter to the board asking it to clarify when an in-person option would be available. Starting March 25, Preschool, young fives and kindergarten will have an in-person hybrid option. Gretchen Whitmer had pushed for an in-person option to be offered across the state by March 1.
Parent advocacy group โcelebratesโ Ann Arbor School Boardโs decision to offer hybrid learning
Ann Arbor Reasonable Return co-founder Jesse Kauffman holds a sign at a rally organized by the group in downtown Ann Arbor on Jan. 30, 2021. ANN ARBOR โ Parent group Ann Arbor Reasonable Return released a statement on Wednesday afternoon in response to the Board of Educationโs vote to offer a hybrid learning option. โToday, we celebrate the vote by the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education to offer Hybrid/Hyflex learning,โ reads the statement. The grassroots organization founded by local parents, including medical professionals, has been advocating for the safe return to face-to-face learning. Ann Arbor is the only district in Washtenaw County and one of few in the state that has remained virtual since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Ann Arbor School Board approves phased hybrid learning plan starting March 25
ANN ARBOR โ The Ann Arbor Board of Education voted 6-1 on Wednesday to approve a recommendation brought forward by Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift to transition to an in-person hybrid learning model starting March 25. Swift reiterated AAPSโ original hybrid plan that students will attend school two days per week in order to achieve proper physical distancing in school buildings:The hybrid learning plan involves the assignment of students to an A or B cohort group. Students attend school two days per week, Monday and Tuesday or Thursday and Friday; Wednesdays will remain a virtual, asynchronous day. According to its Feb. 17 motion, the School Board proposed that students with the greatest needs return to school buildings on March 22. The School Board will reconvene its regular meeting Wednesday evening at 7 p.m.
Ann Arbor-area teachers to receive COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday
ANN ARBOR โ The Washtenaw County Health Department has announced that approximately 1,200 local teachers will get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday. In partnership with Michigan Medicine and IHA, the Health Department is allotting this weekโs vaccine supply from the state toward the effort as districts begin to reopen ahead of Gov. โLimited vaccine supplies continue to hamper our local efforts to reach everyone currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination,โ Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County Health Department said in a statement. The Board received substantial backlash over its decision at last weekโs meeting to rush a vote on staying virtual. โWe are grateful for their work with the Governorโs team to resolve the issues that delayed getting vaccines to K-12 staff across Washtenaw County compared to communities across the rest of the state.
Possibility of remote learning for remainder of school year in Ann Arbor draws pushback
ANN ARBOR โ The Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education is expected to decide this week whether school remains remote for the rest of the year. Three Skyline High School seniors spoke to Local 4 about their hopes for an in-person option. โWeโre one of two school districts in this state that donโt have some kind of hybrid option,โ he said. All three students are hopeful the district will offer a hybrid in-person learning option and commit to a start date. READ: Ann Arbor students, parents rally at Skyline High School to demand return to hybrid learning
Ann Arbor School Board releases statement on upcoming vote to stay virtual
ANN ARBOR โ The Ann Arbor Board of Education released a statement on Friday evening clarifying the details of next weekโs vote after considerable uproar from some community members. โAt our meeting on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board of Education voted to direct Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift to explore the feasibility of modifying its current Return to School Plan,โ the Board clarified. โThe Board apologizes for any confusion this vote on Wednesday may have caused our community during an already stress-filled school year due to the pandemic. AdโThe Boardโs vote did not change or alter the approved transition to hybrid-in school learning option,โ read the statement. In response to the Boardโs motion, parent group Ann Arbor Reasonable Return launched a GoFundMe on Thursday, raising more than its $30,000 goal in less than 24 hours to establish a political action committee.
Washtenaw County Superintendents call to increase COVID-19 vaccines for teachers
(AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. โ The Washtenaw Superintendentsโ Association has issued a statement calling to increase vaccine supplies for teachers in the countyโs public school districts. According to a recent survey of educators by Michigan Education Association, only 25.6% of respondents in Washtenaw County had received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. WSA represents the superintendents of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and the following nine public school districts: Ann Arbor Public Schools; Chelsea School District; Dexter Community Schools; Lincoln Consolidated Schools; Manchester Community Schools; Milan Area Schools; Saline Area Schools; Whitmore Lake Public Schools and Ypsilanti Community Schools. Washtenaw County superintendents have taken every opportunity to collectively advocate on behalf of our school communities at the local, state, and federal levels. We call on local Washtenaw County leaders to continue to keep equity at the center of everything we do, including our vaccination efforts.
Ann Arbor parents launch GoFundMe to start PAC as school district mulls staying virtual
ANN ARBOR โ A GoFundMe organized by parent group Ann Arbor Reasonable Return has surpassed its $30,000 goal in under 24 hours. โAnn Arbor Reasonable Return is exploring all options to get relief for families in the Ann Arbor Public Schools who have been in virtual only learning since March 13, 2020,โ reads the GoFundMe page. โWe are raising funds for establishing a political action committee (PAC) that can then take steps like retain professional legal and lobbying counsel. According to the Board of Education, if they vote to keep school virtual, children with the greatest needs will be able to return to buildings at the end of March. AdCo-founder of Ann Arbor Reasonable Return Lena Kauffman said that the group is currently in the process of signing with the firm.
Ann Arbor teachers, parents at odds over return to classrooms amid vaccine struggles
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ 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.
Utica Community Schools district says it is working to increase vaccine availability for staff
UTICA, Mich. โ The Utica Community Schools (UCS) district said it is โleveraging partnershipsโ 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.
Education leaders say teacher shortages, learning loss among top issues at Michigan schools
DETROIT โ On Tuesday, the K-12 Alliance of Michigan -- representing hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and schools -- held a roundtable to give a glimpse of issues facing students, teachers and learning. READ: Michigan leaders say schools need $1 billion to recover from COVID financial tollAdREAD: Michigan GOP: No aid for K-12 schools unless Whitmer cedes power to ban in-person learning, sportsโI would say to Republicans to find a different bargaining chip, education is not it,โ said Kevin Miller with St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency. READ: With districts fully integrated in remote learning will Michigan schools declare a snow day? AdโOne way is to get kids, particularly minority and low-poverty kids, do tutoring throughout the summer and school, and pay them. So, both they get a professional experience and they get a positive relationship, and they contribute to helping with this learning loss,โ DeVault said.
Livonia mayor says city does not have COVID-19 vaccine doses, but trying to change that
LIVONIA, Mich. โ One of Metro Detroitโs largest cities is without access to COVID-19 vaccine doses as of Friday, the cityโs mayor announced while emphasizing her hope to change this. Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan expressed frustration with the Wayne County Public Health Divisionโs vaccine rollout and distribution. AdHere is the message from the mayor on Friday:โAt this time, the City of Livonia does not have access to any vaccine doses, though we are trying hard to change that. The City of Livonia is under the Wayne County Health Department, as are all Wayne County cities (except Detroit, which has its own health department). Under an agreement between Wayne County and local health systems, county residents 65 years of age and older are being vaccinated through those health systems.
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.
State superintendent wants to extend Michiganโs school year
LANSING, Mich. โ Testifying in front of a joint committee of the state Legislature, state superintendent Dr. Michael Rice advocated for increasing the number of required school days, which currently stands at 180 days. Weโre gonna have to make sure we extend the time for the purpose of competency and ensure our children are on the right level,โ said Detroit school board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo. Michigan health department launches program offering weekly COVID testing to educatorsThe Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said it is moving forward with offering a voluntary COVID-19 testing program to educators. Officials said the MI Safe Schools Testing Program, which began Tuesday, will provide weekly tests for educators at private and public schools. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for schools to resume in-person learning by March 1.
Novi principal writes blog to address rumors about teachers winning $1 billion Mega Millions lottery
A winning ticket of the $1 billion Mega Millions lottery was sold at Kroger in Novi recently. Rumors quickly started circulating that a group of teachers in the Novi Community School District won the prize. To address the circulating rumors Ascher penned a blog post titled, โI won the lottery.โAs of Monday afternoon the blog post had more than 8,000 views. In the blog post Ascher says he โwon the lotteryโ through family and friends. More: $1 billion Mega Millions winning ticket sold at Novi KrogerโEveryone showed up for work today which was really good...
How Michigan hospitals, health departments prioritize COVID vaccine distribution
With demand high and supply low, getting an appointment to receive a coronavirus vaccine in Michigan can be tricky -- even for essential workers. Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesMeijer will administer COVID vaccines at its Michigan pharmaciesCOVID-19 vaccine questions? Ask the doctorMichigan has released a preliminary timeline to show a projection of when other phases can expect to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. People between 16-64 with health conditions that put them at high risk for COVID complications and remaining essential workers are expected to be vaccinated between May-September. A national crisis: Governors complain over pace of COVID-19 vaccine shipments
Ann Arbor Public Schools set to reopen in phases starting in March
ANN ARBOR โ Ann Arbor Public Schools announced in an email to teachers and parents on Wednesday morning that the district is aiming to begin hybrid in-school learning in early March. According to the initial timeline, Stage 4 is targeted to begin after spring break. Whitmer encourages Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by March 1In-person learning will be offered for all levels and families who decide to stay home and continue virtual learning have the option to do so. As the district monitors COVID cases and vaccinations ahead or reopening, the Superintendent will recommend specific target dates to reopen in February, approved by the Board of Education and confirmed with staff and parents. Final start dates will be announced two weeks prior to the anticipated return of students.
Parents weigh in on Gov. Whitmerโs push to resume in-person in learning by March
Gretchen Whitmer announced on Friday her push for Michigan public schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. Whitmer encourages Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by March 1Ibrahim has two kids in elementary in the Farmington Public Schools. Kids need their education... Our children are the future.โLike other parents, David Phillips, who has two kids in school in Fraser, knows that kids are better in school. And I think weโre putting our kids in harmโs way,โ he said.
Local familyโs Facebook rap videos bring joy during pandemic
The Klemmer family has released eight rap videos on Facebook since the pandemic began. SOUTH LYON, Mich. โ The Klemmer family has been making waves on Facebook with their original rap videos that theyโve been creating since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Dad Bobby Klemmerโs oldest daughter, Sienna, was given a homework assignment in the spring using an online vocabulary tool that engages children through hip-hop. โOne of the options was to write a rap,โ said Klemmer. They also did one for Motherโs Day, one to celebrate teachers, a video to encourage people to vote, and, most recently, a Christmas rap.
Watch: A wellness check on Metro Detroit teachers amid COVID pandemic
There is no question they are dealing with fatigue as they face a long list of challengers amid the COVID pandemic. โI question everything I do, and if Iโm doing it right,โ said high school teacher Heather Chase. โI sit in my classroom, and there have been times I just sit there and cry because itโs like Iโm just, Iโm not doing enough. But I feel like I am doing so much, Iโm working so hard,โ said Chase. Starting Nov. 18 in Michigan, all in-person learning at high schools, colleges and universities has been banned due to a state health order.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer announces grants for teachers, support staff who were impacted by COVID-19
Gretchen Whitmer and state treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced a new grant program for Michigan teachers and support staff. Those who worked additional time and incurred additional costs during the 2019-2020 school year due to COVID-19 can receive grant money through two new grant programs. Under both the Teacher COVID-19 Grant and the Support Staff COVID-19 Grant programs, eligible teachers can receive up to $500 and eligible support staff can receive up to $250. The state of Michiganโs Fiscal Year 2021 budget provides $53 million for eligible K-12 classroom teachers and $20 million for eligible support staff. โOur teachers and support staff have made incredible sacrifices this year to ensure our kids can get a great education while Michigan fights the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walled Lake teacher receives Michigan Lotteryโs Excellence in Education award
WALLED LAKE, Mich. โ A Walled Lake Consolidated School District teacher received the Michigan Lotteryโs Excellence in Education award. Michelle Fiebke-Lang, retired Mary Helen Guest principal, said, โSarah has served on numerous WLCSD District and school committees. As a parent in the District, Sarah continues to serve as the Guest PTA secretary." Dodds has been an educator for 16 years, all with Walled Lake Consolidated School District. We feel blessed to have her as a Gator," said Glengary principal RosaLeigh Johnson.
Detroit public schools, teachers union agree to 1-year contract
DETROIT โ The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) Local 231 announced Tuesday they have reached agreement on a one-year successor contract for the 2020-21 academic year. DFT members ratified the agreement on Oct. 5, according to the district. This shall be the only step movement for these unit members during the 2020-2021 school year. All other DFT unit members not on the teacher salary schedule shall receive a base wage increase of 2.74% as of the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. Aug. 28, 2020: DPSCD and Detroit Federation of Teachers reach deal to reopen schools
Pressure of COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns about Michigan teachers getting burned out
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. โOur teachers are working twice as hard,โ Gutman said. MORE: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schoolsNatalie Ford teaches remotely in the Berkley School District. โPeople arenโt going into teaching,โ Gutman said.
School report: โVirtual learning is not for the K-3โ
These are responses to our callout for sharing experiences with virtual learning at home, from parents, students and teachers. โThis virtual learning is not for the K-3. Sounds familiar to 'No Child Left Behind.โ-- AnonymousโThis whole virtual learning thing is a complete nightmare for kids and parents. And if they are behind when they go back to school, then the teacher will be earning their salary for once. Private schools are open, why arenโt public schools?โ-- VanessaVirtual learning is now well underway in many Michigan school districts.
Parents, students push for face-to-face learning in Clinton Township
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. โ Parents in Clinton Township made their voices heard for face-to-face learning. On Monday, a smattering of protestors -- parents and their children who want in-person learning -- were outside the Chippewa Valley Schools administration building. Earlier this summer, the district thought it could provide some in-person learning, but pulled back on that option just before the start of school, sending all 15,000 students into remote learning. The district acknowledges the fact that most children do better with face to face learning, but said that science says itโs not safe. However, some parents, like Pearce, said there is still no reason why students could not be in school.
School report: โI feel fortunate to have great teachers for my two daughtersโ
These are responses to our callout for sharing experiences with virtual learning at home, from parents, students and teachers. I would like to give credit to all the students, parents, support friends/family and most of all the teachers during these unprecedented times. We all need to stick together, we are in this together.โ-- KellyโIs virtual school chaotic? I feel fortunate to have great teachers for my two daughters. However, Plymouth-Canton school district is doing a terrible job at teaching my nephews.
Utica Community Schools begins transition to in-person learning
UTICA โ 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. โI 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.
School report: โEducators were given limited to no instruction on how to teach virtuallyโ
These are responses to our callout for sharing experiences with virtual learning at home, from parents, students and teachers. -- AnonymousโAs a teacher, online school is failure. It is hard for the students, it is hard for the parents, and it is hard for the educators who have limited training on how to teach virtually. Instead of providing proper training, testing virtual platforms, and manipulating the curriculum to fit virtual learning, they waited in hopes for a face-to-face instruction. We are trying our best to adapt a curriculum to online learning.โ-- AnonymousVirtual learning is now well underway in many Michigan school districts.
School report: โPeople are struggling! Does anyone care?โ
I have three kids who feel like they are failing after one week of school. I am juggling a full-time job and three kids in online school. My children both have learning disabilities and do much better with in-class, face-to-face instruction rather than being stuck in front of a computer for their whole school day. Some kids are really struggling and need the extra help that they would get in a traditional classroom setting. parents that donโt care and their kids are going to be lost, and not succeed.โ-- AnonymousVirtual learning is now well underway in many Michigan school districts.
School report: โI canโt afford to leave my job, my back is against the wall and Iโm becoming very stressedโ
These are responses to our callout for sharing experiences with virtual learning at home, from parents, students and teachers. ร have done the best I could to recreate my sons spaces in school and give them a bit of normalcy. I canโt afford to leave my job, my back is against the wall and Iโm becoming very stressed.โ-- AnonymousโThese kids NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL! My work does NOT help me with any of this.โ-- AnonymousVirtual learning is now well underway in many Michigan school districts. We want to hear from parents and students about their experiences with this unprecedented situation.
School report: โThis is furthering the divide between the haves and have notsโ
These are responses to our callout for sharing experiences with virtual learning at home, from parents, students and teachers. People are paying for private tutors and teachers -- this is furthering the divide between the haves and have nots.โ-- TabathaโOnline schooling at the elementary age is a complete nightmare. The program our school district is using is NOT at all user friendly. I made the choice this week to pull my child out of our school district because as a parent we advocate for our children. The middle school and high school students can fully operate the program used, but our elementary students are overwhelmed and sad, as are the parents.