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Otsego Public Schools

Message from the Superintendent - March 13, 2020, 5:00pm

Otsego PublicSchoolsMessage from the Superintendent - March 13, 2020,5:00pm

School Closure Plans

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March 13, 2020


Dear Otsego Public Schools Families:


Since the announcement from Governor Whitmer late last night to close schools in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus, our staff has been meeting throughout the day to address questions and concerns as well as create plans for this closure. The Governor’s order is to close all K-12 schools from Monday, March 16, 2020 until Sunday, April 5, 2020. As you are aware, the following week, April 6-10, is our scheduled spring break. That will not be adjusted. The first day back for our students will be Monday, April 13, 2020.


We are still awaiting details to come from Governor Whitmer’s office as well as the Michigan Department of Education regarding the impact of this closure on days counted or the end of the year. We will communicate those details with you as soon as we learn them.


During this closure, your child is our main focus. We have been able to make plans for food service and are working on distance learning opportunities to stay connected over the next three weeks.


Depending on the communication received from the Governor’s Office, Michigan Department of Education and Allegan County Health Department, we may need to adjust our plans, but here are the details as of now.


DISTANCE LEARNING

  • Our staff will be providing distance learning opportunities starting on Monday, March 23, 2020.

    • ALL parents, please fill out this google form to help us determine online learning capabilities.

    • If a student needs his/her district-issued Chromebook, (grades 6-12) see building hours below for a time to stop in.

    • More information will come for students in grades 3-5 regarding devices. (be sure to fill out the form above.)

  • Books! We want to encourage our students to continue reading at home each night. If you need to get your child’s book box (elementary), please see open building hours below.

  • More details will be out next week from your child’s principal.


BUILDING HOURS:

  • Our school buildings will be open for you to stop by and get needed medication from the office or personal items from your child’s locker/classroom at the following times only:

    • Monday, March 16, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

    • Tuesday, March 17, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

  • All buildings will be closed from Wednesday, March 18, 2020 until Sunday, April 12, 2020.

  • The Administration Office will be open during the duration of the closure on a reduced schedule.

    • Hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.


FOOD SERVICE

  • The state is allowing us to run a similar program to our summer food program during this closure. We are working on developing a schedule to start providing meals on Monday, March 16, 2020.

    • Meals can be served to anyone 18 years old and under regardless of free/reduced lunch status.

    • Meals will be served from a mobile site

    • We are also making plans to get our Literacy Bus on the road starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, for quick stops so students can grab a book and a meal.

    • Look for the schedule to come out Sunday evening.


CHILD CARE

  • At this time, our before and after school child care program, BASE, will not be open during this three week closure. We are planning to be open during spring break as previously scheduled.


ATHLETICS

  • There will not be any sports practices or games from now through Sunday, April 5, 2020.


COMMUNITY EDUCATION

  • All community education programs and activities, along with any outside rental events, have been cancelled now through Sunday, April 5, 2020.


LEARN ‘N GROW PRESCHOOL

  • Our Learn ‘n Grow Early Childhood Education Center will also be closed for the same period as our K-12 buildings.


We will continue to provide you with updates as we learn them. Updates and additional resources will be posted to our coronavirus update webpage, as well. We are proud of our staff and families for their hard work and patience as we navigate this unprecedented closure. Thank you for your support.


Sincerely,


Jeff Haase

Otsego Public Schools Superintendent