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.
Engagement Strategies to Connect with Students and Staff
If you are looking for new ideas for a Virtual Spirit Week or other options for connecting, check out today’s featured ideas from Carlson High School in Gibraltar, Blissfield Community Schools and Big Rapids Public Schools. If your school has a great engagement strategy to share please tag @massp on social media or email your activity to wendyz@michiganprincipals.org
What Does School Closure Look Like in Illinois & Kansas?
On Sunday, MASSP sent a blast email to members to draw focus to the Governor's recent statements about the ongoing school closure and help you start processing what you and your colleagues may need to prepare for if indeed school does not resume this year. In thinking about this work, it is helpful to look at plans developed by states who have already announced closure for the remainder of the year. Below is a deeper dive on the Illinois and Kansas guidance to help you digest key pieces of these lengthy documents.
Leader2Leader, Round 3
Join MASSP and Principals from around the state on Thursday, March 27 beginning at 1 p.m. to participate in this week’s webinar focused on the role of building administrators in leading stakeholders during the extended school closure.
Flexibility in Title Funds for Technology
The Michigan Department of Education recently released MEMO #COVID-19-021: Flexibility in Title Funds for Technology, which describes additional opportunities for the use of federal title funds to support instruction through technology. This flexibility – which includes things like being able to use Title I dollars for purchasing hot spots for students and devices for both students and teachers – is possible through waivers received from the U.S. Department of Education. Additional flexibility is also extended to districts for the use of Title IIa and Title IV funding and waives the requirements for pre-approval. Districts should refer to the memo for full details.
Michigan Launches COVID-19 Volunteer Website
In light of the tremendous strains on Michigan’s healthcare system due to the spread of COVID-19, the state launched a new volunteer website, www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19, where trained medical professionals can register to serve their fellow Michiganders by assisting hospitals in fighting COVID-19. Other state residents also can use the site to find out how they can help in their local communities, give blood, donate money or needed medical supplies, or assist public health officials in tracking infections. This website will serve as a single clearinghouse for Michiganders to join the fight against COVID-19 and easy-to-use-buttons on the website allow users to link to volunteer opportunities in their community, donate or give blood. The effort is a partnership between the Governor's office, several state departments, and the American Red Cross
Governor's Press Conference Covers Temporary Hospitals, Food Banks, Budget Vetoes
In her press conference at 10:15 a.m. today, Governor Whitmer announced that she is requesting FEMA support to use the National Guard for humanitarian purposes and the Army Corps of Engineers to help construct temporary hospitals. The Governor also announced that National Guard troops will be assisting with mobile food distribution in Ann Arbor, Comstock Park, Flint, and Pontiac. She also spoke to the signing of two supplemental budget bills that provide $150 million in new state funding in the current fiscal year for the response to COVID-19. Notably, the announcement also noted that the vetoes in one of the bills, totaling nearly $80 million in the state’s general fund, were agreed to by both branches of government so that funding could be reprioritized for COVID-19.
Virtual Town Hall
The Governor said it's "very unlikely" that in-person learning will continue this year. So what does that mean for our schools? Join this Virtual Town Hall on 3/31 Tuesday at 7 p.m.
News Items and Resources
Trump approves Michigan disaster declaration
Teacher Resources
The California Department of Education Resources that Support Distance Learning
The Bay Arenac ISD has a compilation of supports and resources
Are you using the Canvas LMS? Check out this Video Hub of great resources for your teachers
5 Strategies for Teacher Self-Care
Seniors & Parent Share Items
Opinion: Incoming freshmen, don't panic. Colleges will support you
How to Help Your High School Senior Through COVID-19 Pandemic
How Colleges Can Help High School Seniors During the Coronavirus Crisis
Entertainment yet good information
A super bad transmissible contagious awful virus parody of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (YouTube 1:52min)
Relatable thought for all school administrators and public officials
