New Wayland Union Schools Supt. Dr. Christina Hinds today sent a letter out to parents on prospects for reopening schools for the 2020-21 academic year.
Dr. Hinds wrote:
The district continues to work diligently to carefully plan for our return to school. It is my intention to share a tentative plan by Friday, July 24. Thank you, in advance, for your patience as we formulate the best plan for our students, staff, and community.
To assist in our final determinations, please take this brief survey, regarding your hopes for the return to school, Parent/Guardian Return to School-Phase 4 Survey: https://forms.gle/wP74FXQ7XgVoWdQp7
Our planning is based on the MI Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-2021 Return to School Roadmap, which aligns with the Mi Safe Start Plan, to create a safe and healthy start for our students. As you review the Mi Safe Start Plan, Wayland Union Schools is located in MERC Region 3, all Return to School plans will be aligned with requirements and protocols outlined in the MI Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-2021 Return to School Roadmap, following the identified phase for MERC Region 3.
• Phases 1-3: According to the MI Safe Schools Roadmap, a return to school in Phases 1 – 3 is completely remote learning; therefore if the State of Michigan moves us back into Phases 1 through 3, WUS will be providing remote instruction. If this occurs, you will notice changes to our format, curriculum, and expectations from distance learning in the spring. We have reviewed survey feedback from parents, students, and teachers and are planning for increased direct instruction, streamlined communication and delivery of content, and consistent procedures around the documentation of attendance and participation.
• Phase 4: Wayland Union Schools is located in Allegan County. Allegan County is currently in Phase 4 of the Return to School Roadmap. In Phase 4, school districts may opt for face-to-face instruction, remote instruction, or blended instruction (both face-to-face and remote). Our neighbors have announced plans varying from remote instruction to blended learning. Please watch for WUS updates by Friday, July 24.
In Phase 4, the Michigan Return to School Roadmap requires stringent safety protocols such as:
Face masks
- All students preK-12 always wearing face masks on the bus;
- All students preK-12 always wearing face masks in the hallways and common areas;
- Students, in grades preK-5, must wear face masks in classrooms unless they remain in their classroom all day and do not come in contact with other students;
- Students, in grades 6-12, must wear face masks in all classrooms;
- All staff members always wearing face masks, except during meals
- Increased cleaning protocols; and
- Increased hygiene practices and instruction.
• Phase 5: When our region moves to Phase 5, all Wayland Union students and staff will return to face-to-face instruction five days per week. We will follow the directives from the Mi Safe Start Plan, the Governor’s Return to School Roadmap, and Executive Orders.
• Phase 6: Post-pandemic. Return to school as we have typically experienced it.
Conclusion:
“We are working diligently to create a plan which best supports the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We are in weekly communication with the Allegan County Health Department, as well as monitoring guidance published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Please look for an update by Friday, July 24.
As determinations are made, we will provide you with updates via Infinite Campus, our website, school app, and Facebook.”