From the Desk of Dr. Davis, HPS Superintendent | Are you ready?

Dear HPS Parents,

You’ve likely heard of the first two positive test results of Holland Public School students and several associated quarantine orders of students and staff issued by the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH). To our knowledge, both of these positive test results were related to an exposure to COVID-19 prior to the start of the school year. 

As we were planning to reopen schools this summer, we knew it was only a matter of time before this happened. We only wish that it could have waited a few more weeks. Please know, we are working closely with the OCDPH to monitor these cases and to keep the rest of the students and staff healthy. 

We believe students learn best with face-to-face instruction and we are doing our best to keep our schools open. However, at some point during this school year, we may have to close one or all of our buildings:

• The State could close schools IF our region falls back into Phase 3 of recovery.
• The OCDPH could close schools IF our community begins to show an alarming number of positive cases.
• HPS may need to close one or more of our buildings IF the number of cases among students becomes concerning or if the rate of infection rises to unsafe levels. 
• HPS may need to close one or more of our buildings IF the number of staff members impacted by positive cases or quarantine increases to unsafe levels.

A school closure initiated by any of the above scenarios does not mean schools would be closed for the remainder of the academic year. In fact, it is possible that schools would reopen after a short period of interruption. All of these decisions would be made in consultation with the OCDPH.

We want you to be ready for the possibility that schools could close. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• If schools are closed, an announcement will be made on our website, through email, on parent portal, social media, local television and radio, and mobile text alerts. Sign up for Mobile Text Alerts by texting HPS to 48421.
• If schools are closed, and if you anticipate needing childcare, please start making those plan now.
• If schools are closed, HPS Nutrition Services will continue to provide breakfast and lunch for all students in the district. (Details will be announced.)
• If schools are closed, learning will continue. HPS teachers have already been using Google Classroom to manage student instruction. Should we be forced to close, remote learning will continue on Google Classroom. To learn more about how you can see your child’s Google Classroom, review assignments, and engage with their teacher, please visit our Return to Learn webpage and watch several videos showing you how to use Google Classroom.
   
• If schools are closed, please remind your child that, unlike last spring when schools were closed, this time participation in remote learning classes will matter this time and grades will count.
   
• If schools are closed, please work closely with your child’s teachers to answer questions and address concerns. As we all know, remote learning is not ideal for most students. HPS teachers want your child to succeed and are here to help!

Please stay connected and informed. The HPS website is updated almost daily with new information about COVID-19 and about what is happening in our schools. Check the site frequently. Also, feel free to ask questions and let us know your concerns. Email us at CovidQA@hollandpublicschools.org.

Dr. Brian Davis
Superintendent Holland Public Schools.