Messages from Gov. Whitmer:

April 2, 2020

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools for Remainder of School Year

Executive Order sets guidelines for remote learning, ensures teachers, school employees will be paid for remainder of school year

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year — unless restrictions are lifted — and ensures continuing of learning by setting guidelines for remote learning. District facilities may be used by public school employees and contractors for the purposes of facilitating learning at a distance while also practicing social distancing.

“My number one priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19. For the sake of our students, their families, and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” Governor Whitmer said. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes. There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom, but we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.”

The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers are currently developing a Continuity of Learning Plan template application for schools to utilize in order to create their localized plan. The application will be made available by April 3. District plans will need to detail how districts will provide opportunities for students to learn remotely and how schools will manage and monitor their progress. It will also provide information on how parents and guardians can learn more about the local plan. Each district must have its plan approved by their regional intermediate school district before being implemented. Public school academies must have their plans approved by their authorizer. Districts can also partner with one another to create joint plans.  

Every district’s plan will be different and will reflect what’s best and feasible for their community. A plan can include learning by any number of modes of instruction delivery, including a hybrid approach. However they are designed, districts must ensure their plans are appropriate, equitable and accessible for students and families.

If the plan relies on some online instruction, the district should ensure every student who needs it has access to an appropriate device with an ability to connect to the internet. Students and families will not be penalized if they are unable to participate in their alternate learning plan.

Schools should continue to provide mental health care services for students, to the extent possible, and should be ready and willing to help efforts to establish disaster relief childcare centers. School districts will also continue to provide meals for families who need them during the COVID-19 crisis. If any schools have unused personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies or other materials, they are allowed and encouraged to donate them to organizations that could put them to use.

School districts will have the flexibility to adopt a balanced calendar for the 2019-2020 school year and/or to begin the 2020-2021 school year before Labor Day without having to seek additional approval. Teachers and school employees will be paid for the remainder of the school year. Student teachers will still be able to get a temporary certification and current teachers will still be able to get their certifications renewed, even if they can’t meet all the requirements due to COVID-19.

All Michigan high school seniors will be given the opportunity to graduate this year so that they may make a successful postsecondary transition. Additionally, all standardized tests previously scheduled for the remainder of the school year, including the M-STEP and the SAT, will be canceled. There will be a date in October for rising high school seniors to take the SAT and for other high school students to take the PSAT.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

March 13, 2020

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163-521561--,00.html

Messages from OMPS Administration:

April 2, 2020

OMPS Families,

I hope that you are all staying safe, healthy and enjoying the extra family time during these difficult circumstances. As you may already know, Governor Whitmer has just released an Executive Order, “Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools for the Remainder of the School Year”. The Governor’s order requires all districts to work with their local ISD’s or Charter School Authorizers to develop a “Continuity of Learning Plan Template Application” to be submitted for approval to Grand Valley State University, our Charter School Authorizer. Once our plan is finalized I will be sharing the details with our OMPS families as we move forward through the rest of the school year. 

OMPS Administration and Teachers will be coordinating our efforts with Grand Valley State University representatives on formal plans for the continuation of educational services for our students and families. In the meantime, I have asked our teachers to continue to support our students and families with resources and curriculum in the same fashion they have since this closure began. Students and parents should plan on hearing from their teachers once they return to work on Monday April 6th.  

Finally, I would like to thank all of our teachers and support staff for their commitment to our students and families. Please tell our students that we miss them very much!! Remember, we will all get through this tough time together as a unified school community.

 

Best Wishes,

Rick Couturier

Head of School

March 26, 2020

_{OMPS Families,}

_{The staff and I would like to thank all of our families for supporting the educational needs of our students. The feedback Beth and I are receiving from staff and families has been great and we know how hard our students, teachers and parents are working. Many thanks to all. Beth and I will continue to monitor the discussions being held at the state level regarding any future plans for the continuation of our school year, stay tuned!}

_{As we head into our scheduled Spring Break beginning Friday, March 27th, I have asked our teachers to take a well-deserved break from their educational duties. I am also asking our families to honor this request with the understanding that our teachers will resume communication and educational support for our students and families on April 6th.}

_{We are continuing our fundraising efforts for our families that need support so please consider donating funds directly to the OMPS family assistance fund online at:  http://OMPS-PTO.square.site Many thanks to those of you that have already donated, our families appreciate our community.}

_{On a final note, please tell your students that we all miss them very much and we can’t wait to see them when we return to school. Beth and I know that they are working very hard on their school work and we are very proud of them. From the words of my 100-year-old grandmother, “this too shall pass and remember, this is a time to value the importance of family and for all of us to come together as a country to solve this problem”. Great perspective from someone born two years after the end of World War I.}

 

_{Stay Safe and Healthy,}

 _{Rick & Beth}

March 13, 2020

_{Dear OMPS Families,}                                                                                         

_{Last night at 11p.m., Governor Whitmer announced the closing of all schools in the state ofMichigan. At this time, this closing will begin Monday, March 16 through Sunday, April 5. This decision was made in order to prevent further exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus(Coronavirus). The health and safety of our students, families, community, and staff is of the highest priority tous. However, the education of our students is also our priority. With that said, we do want to continue to provide education to our OMPS  students. Here is what to expect:}

_{1. Teachers will be providing home-based work which will be coming home today. They will send this work via hard copy and/or Google Classroom. If they choose to use Google Classroom, teachers will share how to access this at home. Please expect 9 school days worth of work being sent home to you today.}

_{2. We ask that all work that is being sent home via hard copy be returned to teachers electronically via scan or picture to prevent any potential spread of germs. If access to technology or this capability is a challenge, please reach out to your teacher and we can develop a plan.}

_{This situation is ever-evolving and we will continue to share information with families and staff as it becomes available. Please continue to check our school website, Facebook page, as well as your email for updates.}

_{We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding and flexibility during this unprecedented time. We appreciate  your support as well as your dedication to our school, students, community, and staff. Stay healthy and safe, everyone!}

_{Respectfully,}

_{Rick Couturier - Head of School}

_&

_{Beth Gomez - Assistant Principal}

March 12, 2020 

_{Dear OMPS Families and Staff,}                                                                                                                                                                                  

_{We are preparing to respond to the possible spread of COVID-19 (previously referred to as the Coronavirus), and wanted to share with you the proactive measures OMPS has taken should it become necessary.} 

 

_{Strategies identified by the governor and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continue to guide our efforts. This information is changing rapidly and we are working diligently to keep ourselves informed. We are postponing any pre-scheduled field trips or school-wide assemblies.  Additionally, administration and staff will be discussing the format of Parent/Teacher Conferences. We will keep you updated. Nothing is more important than the safety of our students and staff.} 

 

_{OMPS is receiving information from the Grand Traverse County Health Department and will rely on their expertise in the event that school closures or other actions become necessary to contain any further spread of the illness. The CDC and MDE are also currently developing guidance for schools, and OMPS expects to adhere to their guidance once it is released.} 

 

_{OMPS has already been conducting additional, proactive cleaning procedures on our campus to help combat the spread of seasonal illnesses. These procedures include frequent cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms and common areas and encouraging proper hygiene and handwashing. A gentle reminder to please take extra measures to ensure your student(s) can stay home in the event of illness. When calling in an illness make sure to leave a detailed message regarding your student(s) symptoms.} 

 

_{You can also help to stop the spread of germs and help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19. A few steps recommended by the CDC that each of us can take include:}

_{-Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.}

_{-Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.}

_{-Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.} 

_{-Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.} 

_{-Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.} 

_{-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.} 

_{Symptoms* of COVID-19 can include:} 

_-Fever

_-Cough

_{-Shortness of breath}

_{*Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.}

 

_{As we move forward, OMPS is currently having discussions within our school community, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District regarding alternative options for continuing our teaching and learning in the event school officials from the state initiate protocols for the cancelation of school. We will continue to share information with families and staff as it becomes available. Thank you for your support of our schools and for your support of maintaining a healthy and prepared community!} 

 _{Respectfully,}

 

_{Rick Couturier}

_{Head of School}

Helpful links:

Here are some informative websites for information on Health and the COVID-19:

You can subscribe here to receive updated information:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDHHS/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIDHHS_605

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163-521561--,00.html

Ways to help talk to your children for the Corvid-19:

https://childmind.org/

https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/

For questions regarding the coronavirus itself, please contact the Grand Traverse County Health

Department at 231-995-6010.  You can sign up for their alert bulletins here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Dh9I9XIwA_0iBPt3glYtIN8r36hxFPmtMWcdPPQkN7M/viewform?edit_requested=true

http://gtchd.org/2231/COVID-19-Novel-Coronavirus

CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19):

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

State of Michigan information:

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/