From the Desk of Dr. Davis, HPS Superintendent | HPS Return to Learn Plans will continue.
The Holland Public Schools Board of Education met in study session on October 5, 2020 and reviewed the recent developments and tenants of our plan. As a result, Holland Public Schools will continue with ALL elements of the Return to Learn Plan adopted on August 6, 2020 and our Extended Continuity of Learning Plan submitted on August 1, 2020. This includes the continuation of wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and learner cohorting. All of these things work together to minimize the risk that students or staff will be exposed to COVID-19.
Most of my day Monday was spent with school leaders, lobbyists, health officials, and legal experts. Each of these voices has something different to say about what the Michigan Supreme Court’s recent ruling regarding the Governor's Executive Authority means, and doesn’t mean, for schools around the state.
In essence, the ruling stated the Governor could NOT use Executive Orders to extend coronavirus-related states of emergency without legislative collaboration.
As school leaders, we walked away affirming our collective steadfast belief in following the elements of our respective return to learn plans and guidelines from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health and CDC.
The Holland Public Schools Board of Education met in study session on October 5, 2020 and reviewed the recent developments and tenants of our plan. As a result, Holland Public Schools will continue with ALL elements of the Return to Learn Plan adopted on August 6, 2020 and our Extended Continuity of Learning Plan submitted on August 1, 2020. This includes the continuation of wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and learner cohorting. All of these things work together to minimize the risk that students or staff will be exposed to COVID-19.
After 27-days of in-class instruction, there have been no cases of students or staff contracting COVID-19 while at school. This is a credit to the efficacy of the plans put in place by the Board of Education before school started.
The HPS Return to Learn plan was developed with the input of several teams of volunteers, teachers, and administrators from around the district.
The Board of Education adopted the plan to provide for the safety and welfare of students and staff under the Revised School Code Act 451of 1976.
District families were offered options for instruction: to learn from home with online instruction or to attend school for face-to-face instruction with new policies and practices in place.
Masks, social distancing, and other safety protocols adopted by school districts have NOT been ruled unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Parents, students, and our staff deserve a lot of credit as well. Your support of these new safety protocols has been overwhelming! Thank you!
The School Board is committed to transparency, ensuring safety, and encouraging public participation in all aspects of leading the school district. For the time-being, members of the school board will meet in-person for regular meetings while inviting public participation via Zoom. Dates and times for the regularly-scheduled board meetings are posted on the HPS website.
Along with our weekly dashboard, which provides an update on the number of students and staff impacted by COVID-19, we will let you know what we hear about what is happening in Lansing and how it will impact Holland Public Schools. Please continue to check your inbox, visit our website, and watch our social media for updates.
As always, I appreciate your patience during this process.
Dr. Brian Davis
Superintendent, Holland Public School
P.S. We look forward to seeing you in person or remotely during Parent/Teacher Conferences over the coming days.