April 9, 2021

2 weeks of Remote Learning for High School Students after Spring Break.

  • Students in grades 9-12 will be remote for two weeks through April 22.
  • Students in grades PreK-8 will return to school for in-person learning on Monday, April 12.
Information for students with IEPs
I hope that everyone had a nice spring break. 
I apologize in advance for the length of this communication, but, there is a lot of information that needs clarification based upon Governor Whitmer's press release on Friday, April 9, in addition to recommendations from the Michigan Department of Public Health & Human Services and two meetings I had today with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health. 
"The Ottawa County Department of Public Health joins the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in recommending a 14-day pause for high school in-person learning and for all youth sports through April 23, 2021. The timing is urgent, but not ideal for you. You know your schools, students, and families best, so you have our support and encouragement in increasing mitigation measures and doing what you can to limit all types of gatherings during this time. We ask that schools and parents weigh the risks and benefits and take the best approach for their students."
As a result of the above, in consultation with our Board of Education, and review of our Return to Learn Plans/Extended Continuity of Learning Plans, we will be taking the following action below. Please note, you may find differences in district approaches across the region. I believe that our mitigation efforts and return to learn plans have served us well, and will continue to do so. Thank you for your continued support!
 
High School 9-12
 
  • Students in grades 9-12 will be remote for two weeks through April 22. (Friday, April 23 there is no school Prek-12 due to district PSD.) This two-week time frame could be extended or shortened based upon health department recommendations. As the incubation period for COVID is 14 days, it is not likely. However, we will closely monitor the number of positive cases over the next several days and continue to seek guidance from OCDPH.
  • At the time of this communication, Careerline Tech Center and Holland Early College Programs will operate.
  • Food pick-up for 9-12 students will be on Tuesday, April 13 from 10:00-11:00 am, and again on Friday, April 16 from 10-11 and 3-4:00 p.m. 
  • State testing will be modified.  SAT/PSAT will move to April 27-29 and/or May 18 as needed. 
PreK-8
 
  • Students in grades PreK-8 will return to school for in-person learning on Monday, April 12.
  • Our state assessment schedule will continue as currently planned. 
    • 4/13/21-  PSAT Testing for 8th graders (Required for both face to face and online learners)
    • 4/13/21-  Remote Learning for 6th and 7th graders (No Zooms)
  • Please make sure that your child(ren) brings back their devices and chargers to school on Monday. Devices should be fully charged and ready for learning.
  • If your child's teacher sent home any supplemental learning materials, please return those to school.

Athletics/Co-Curriculars: 

 "Spring sports can continue with weekly testing as required by MDHHS during weeks where schools are practicing and/or competing.  This is based on all remaining sports being outdoors and spring sports have the fewest contact sports when compared to other seasons.  School districts will make local decisions for the coming weeks on spring sports based on local conditions and circumstances." - MHSAA
 
  • We will pause athletics and co-curriculars just long enough to get our first round of rapid testing done. We will make team-by-team/co-curricular decisions based on test results. 
  • Middle School practices will not take place on Monday/Tuesday. Antigen testing will take place on Wednesday, April 14 as previously scheduled.
  • High School antigen testing will take place now Monday, April 12 from 7:30-11:00 a.m. with CLTC students following. Testing will be done in alphabetical order by last name. More detailed information will be coming from Athletic Director Ben Farkas. The decision for practices/games to continue by sport will be made based upon our student test results. A student may not participate if they don't participate in the antigen testing process. 
Please note the following regarding International travel:
 
  • If your family traveled internationally, we are asking you to follow the CDC guidelines below as extra safety measures  before your children return to school:
  • Get tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
  • If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  • Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
  • If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
  • Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
  • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms.
  • Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements.
  • Please call your school office and share that you traveled internationally and that your child is in self-quarantine. Absences will be excused. S
  • Students are responsible for continued learning remotely. Please make sure that you communicate with your child's teacher to stay on top of school work. 
  • If you have any questions, our school nurses are here to help.
I know that this has been a long year for everyone, and just when we thought we might be out of the woods so to speak, we are headed into a third wave of very high positivity rates. While we are all very tired, now is not the time to give up on our plans that are working well.
 
Welcome back! We have missed you! Let's finish the 2020-2021 school year safely, healthy, and stronger than ever.
Brian Davis 
Superintendent, Holland Public Schools
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