On Thursday, April 2nd, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order directing all K-12 buildings to close for the remainder of the school year. The order is in effect unless restrictions are lifted, and it includes guidelines for remote learning.
“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.”
Every school district in Michigan must now create a plan to do what’s best for them and their community. The districts need to ensure their plans are “appropriate, equitable and accessible for students and families”.
The order gives the districts flexibility to adopt new calendars for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and the 2020-2021 academic year. All high school seniors will be given the opportunity to graduate, and all standardized tests will be cancelled.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
