As if local school districts Martin, Wayland and Hopkins did not have enough challenges while opening for the school year, now comes oppressive heat that has closed some schools in West Michigan.
Martin Public Schools decided against mandating masks Tuesday on the first day of school a half day, as a result. However, the district today returned to complying with the Health Department’s order to mask up all children in grades K-6 because of the viral pandemic threat posed by the Delta variant of Covid. The schools were dismissed at 1 p.m. today because of the heat problem and parents are asked to “stay tuned for information regarding the school schedule for Thursday, Aug. 26.”
The Health Dept.’s mandate is because children ages 12 and under are not able to be vaccinated.
Superintendent Brooke Ballee-Stone posted on Facebook this morning:
“The (Allegan) County Commissioners meeting is tomorrow (Thursday). We have no school Friday. I will get word out to you as to what this will mean just as soon as I can for next week at school.
“I swore to the MPS Board of Education and to myself that I would always do whatever was in my power to protect staff and especially students under my purview. It might not be what some families want to hear, but I am asking that you truly look at both sides of the issue. It may even mean that I must go against what I ‘think’ is best because the experts ‘know’ what is best.
“I am not an epidemiologist nor am I a health expert. I cannot make this call.
“I just want you to know that this has been the most difficult time in my 29 years of service in education. I am trying to do the right thing for our children.”
Wayland started school Monday, Aug. 23, with a half day and Hopkins will start the academic year Thursday, Aug. 26.