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.
Continuous Learning Plans
We have gathered communications as well as school plans in this section. As you develop the continuous learning plan for your school and create letters or videos to communicate the plan with your school community please share them with MASSP so that we can add them to the examples we have gathered. Email a link to the documents you are sharing with staff, students and parents to wendyz@michiganprincipals.org
Educators across our state are busy designing, training, implementing and/or progress monitoring their Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plans. In consideration of the volume of work and communication this week, MASSP is postponing Leader2Leader until April 23. There will be two concurrent Leader2Leader sessions beginning at 1 p.m. on April 23. The focus of the Middle Level will be continuity of learning, end of year activities, and transitions from elementary to MS, as well as MS to HS during Stay Home/Stay Safe order. The focus of the High School Leader2Leader will be end-of-year activities and commencement during Stay Home/Safe order.
This week look for MASSP’s:
- Weekly Learning Opportunities and a new FAQ addressing questions raised during Governor’s Town Hall, previous Leader2Leader, and social media. (Wednesday)
- Collection of sample Continuity of Learning Plans, communications and related resources from all three tiers of remote learning: Foundational, Supplemental, and New Learning. (Friday)
NCAA Pass/Fail Concerns
If your district is considering issuing pass/fail grades and are concerned about how that may impact student athletes this language may be of interest to you.
MDE Memo- Educating All Learners Alliance
As school buildings across the state remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the core questions educators and school leaders are addressing is how to ensure learning continues for all students, including students with disabilities. The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has joined nearly 30 education advocacy and disability rights organizations to form the Educating All Learners Alliance, dedicated to ensuring equity for all learners and the continuity of special education services during remote instruction.
To view the memo click here; click the button below to access the Educating All Learners Alliance website.
MDE Memo- Guidance for Compliance with IDEA and the MARSE During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE) is releasing Guidance for Compliance With the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic. This guidance document is designed to assist districts in meeting the IDEA Part B and MARSE requirements in support of Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-35. The MDE has worked to ensure this guidance is aligned and consistent with information provided by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt special education both in Michigan and across the country, and therefore this guidance will be regularly updated as new and more information becomes available. Districts will be notified of updates.
MDE Memo- Answers to Commonly Asked Questions on Section 31a and Section 41 Funds During the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the time of emergency school closure due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is providing guidance to assist local education agencies (LEAs) with the implementation of state budget categorical Section 31a and Section 41 programs.
Michigan is First State to Provide Food to Families Affected by School Closings Caused by COVID-19
Families with children who received free, reduced-cost lunches at school qualify for the new program. Supplemental benefits can be used as families would typically use their EBT card.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law on March 27, 2020. The nearly $2 trillion CARES Act provides relief to several broad groups adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including K-12 education.
News Items and Resources
Northville dials back continuous learning plan based on parent/teacher feedback
Report looks at how schools could make up for time lost in class due to COVID-19
NASSP Principal to Principal blog post: When School Is Canceled: The First Few Weeks
School-Wide SEL: Pandemic Edition (via www.smore.com)
For Students & Parents
From Hudsonville Schools
At-Home AP Exam Webinar for Parents/Guardians
On Thursday, 4/16 from 7-8 p.m. EST, Trevor Packer, Senior Vice President of AP and Instruction, will be hosting a webinar for parents and guardians to share information about this year’s at-home AP Exams and how to help your student prepare. Trevor will be joined by Jane McBride Gates, Provost and SVP, Academic and Student Affairs from Connecticut State Colleges & Universities and Kristin Brandt, AP Live Human Geography teacher from Glenbard West High School. This webinar will go into detail about the online exams and format, how to prepare at home for them, and answer common questions parents and students may have. We encourage parents and their AP students to sit in on this webinar together. To register, click here.
Rosetta Stone is FREE to students for the next 3 months
For Your Staff
Looking for digital resources for supporting special education students online? This page contains a curated list of special education resources and edtech products to support learners with disabilities in a distance learning context.
Social-Emotional Support in the New World of Distance Learning
Staff & Student Engagement
The Brandon High School Staff sent a video home to students and challenged them to respond:
Muskegon Public Schools shines Hackley Stadium light on Class of 2020
From the Twitterverse
A great way to celebrate essential workers and recognize school alumni.
