MASSP will be taking a few days off for an extended holiday weekend. Headlines will go out on Tuesday, April 14 at 5 a.m. and the next COVID-19 update will hit your inbox Tuesday afternoon.
MASSP is dedicated to keeping our members informed as the situation with COVID-19 develops. Each weekday during the school shut down you can count on an email from us. We will compile and summarize the latest updates and provide the latest resources to help you navigate the challenges that may arise in the coming weeks.
If you have resources or information you think should be included in an upcoming update or on the MASSP COVID-19 resource center, please send them to Alicia Pilmore for consideration.
Lusk Albertson E-Learning Guide
At MASSP’s request the Attorney’s at Lusk Albertson created an E-Learning Legal FAQ that addresses a number of legal issues teachers and administrators may encounter during the cancellation of face to face instruction. As schools transition to an all online learning environment it is important to keep these legal considerations in mind.
Governor Whitmer Extends the Stay at Home Order to April 30
In a press conference today Governor Whitmer announced the extension of the Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives order through April 30, 2020. This new date is in line with the legislative extension of the emergency declaration that happened earlier this week. While MASSP understands that the extension of the Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives order will undoubtedly create hardships for many Michiganders, we agree with the Governor that the health and safety of residents should remain paramount. To that end, MASSP released a joint statement supporting the Governor's announcement in collaboration with MASA and MASB.
MASSP’s Town Hall with Governor Whitmer & Leader2Leader Recordings
This week MASSP hosted two member webinars focused on providing members with answers to their questions on the Governor’s EO and Continuous Learning Plans.
Van Buren ISD Checklist for Completing Your Continuity of Learning Plan
The Van Buren ISD has created a solid checklist of things that need to be considered as you create your district’s Continuity of Learning Template. The checklist includes sample plans and communication for students and families.
MCAN COVID-19 Mini-Grants ($2,500-10,000)
COVID-19 Response Grants provide a flexible funding pathway for Michigan high schools, Local College Access Networks, community-based nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions to support emergent postsecondary projects and programs in their communities. Funding is offered through two pathways: up to $2,500 in mini-grants targeted toward high schools and up to $10,000 targeted toward a community response. Examples of proposals that fall within the grant parameters include and are not limited to: virtual Decision Day, summer-melt support, transition advising support, SAT prep support for rising seniors, training on how to use virtual learning platforms, and providing wifi hot-spots to support rural student learning.
MDE: Educator's Guide to Supporting the Social and Emotional Needs of Students
Because children are not currently in our classrooms, assessing safety, providing support and ensuring individual children’s needs are met can be very challenging. The issuance of Executive Order 2020-35 makes this obligation even more imperative since children will not be returning to their physical school buildings this year. This guide, developed in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is intended to provide information and strategies to support educators and families during this time.
MDE MEMO – Guidance for Learning at a Distance
The link below provides local schools an enriched effort, written largely by Michigan teachers, to help address the immediate needs of staff who must address the immediate needs of children – at a distance – during a pandemic. This document seeks to help ALL districts improve learning at a distance
MDE MEMO – Navigating Extended Time Away From School: Information for Families With Children Receiving Special Education Services
Supporting children with intellectual and developmental disabilities during extended times away from school and changing routines due to health outbreaks can be challenging. The link below provides a fact sheet for a number of strategies to use at home to help children settle into time away from school and into new routines, and to reduce worry and anxiety. The strategies are universal, meaning they work for children with and without disabilities.
MDE MEMO – Critical Shortage Lists for Employment of Retirees
Pursuant to Michigan Compiled Law 38.1361, the Michigan Department of Education has compiled the list of critical shortage areas for employment of retirees for the 2020-2021 academic year.
To read all of MDE's memos including the following, click here.
MDE MEMOs – Robotics, Waiver of Required District PD and Certification Renewal Hours for Teachers and Counselors
News Items and Resources
Opinion: Digital access is the new frontier in K-12 equity
4 In 10 U.S. Teens Say They Haven't Done Online Learning Since Schools Closed
Assistant principal leadership during a global pandemic
Richard Culatta: Can This Crisis Revolutionize The Way We Teach? (Ted Talk)
Transfer credits and graduate school admission all rely on letter grades
For Parents
Student & Staff Engagement
Check out Seaholm Storytime on Youtube and browse their library of stories read by Seaholm students. This is a great way to have guest readers for storytime at home!
Senior Student/Athlete Recognition
Does your school have masks, gloves, face shields, bleach wipes or other items that would benefit your local medical professionals? Do you have food or beverages that will expire in your school store or concession stands before students return to school? Consider making a donation of these items to benefit essential workers in your community.
In the Twitterverse
Governor Whitmer takes the time to provide a sweet video for Michigan children explaining that the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny will still be visiting homes during the COVID-19 stay at home order but that the traditional items they have left in the past may require some substitutions.
