Much has happened since our last Tuesday update.  All K-12 schools buildings have been closed for the rest of the year.  While the buildings have been closed, school is not over.  Hillsdale Community Schools will begin implementing a Distance Learning Plan for all enrolled students next week.  

 

Governor Whitmer has provided a structure for school districts to develop and implement Distance Learning Plans through the end of the school year.   Each school district will create a plan that meets a set of criteria established by the state. The governor’s executive order allows school districts to create a plan that fits the students’ needs using the resources available in that school district. 

 

In order to ensure that all students have access to materials and continue learning, Hillsdale Community Schools will implement a hybrid model.  The teachers will use instructional packets for the base of the program. They will also make the information and assignments available for students through Google Classroom.   Google Classroom is available online and uses website access format. In this format the content is filtered and controlled by the teacher.  

 

Distance learning will be much different than the usual school day experience.  We are excited to begin. The teachers and support staff are working this week to assemble the learning packets. The district will use a paper/pencil/books base for the program.  We will also use resources available online for enrichment and extensions. We are in the process of developing a distribution plan for the paper/pencil learning materials. This may include a combination of strategies including a pick up/drop off at the schools, remote pick up/drop off sites utilizing the bus routes, email exchanges, website resources and "virtual classrooms through Google.  

 

At the end of this week, the District will mail a letter to parents providing an overview of the Distance Learning Plan.  Hillsdale Community Schools will begin implementation of distance learning after Easter. The launch date for programming is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th.  We understand this is a new experience for students, parents and the teachers. Going into this venture we know there will be challenges and adjustments needed as we learn which remote learning strategies work best for the students.  Teachers will provide direct communication and instructions for the students with the specific details of the learning activities for each class.  

 

High School Graduation: Graduating from high school is an important milestone.  Our District is committed to providing our seniors with a graduation ceremony and experience.  At this time, we are keeping the original schedule reserved on the calendar. If conditions do not allow us to conduct this ceremony in its typical format, we will provide our students and their families another type of ceremony.  The high school staff is working through a variety of options. As more time passes, we will know better which options are feasible. So, while it could look different from any other graduation ceremony previously conducted, “the show will go on!”  

 

Like everyone across our state and the entire country, the past month has felt surreal here is Hillsdale..  The staff at Hillsdale Community Schools have missed the students tremendously. Teachers have been sending out ideas for learning and enrichment activities for families.  Staff members across the district have worked to assemble and distribute meals to kids across the community. In the past three weeks, the HCS has provided over 15,000 meals to children.  That's amazing; the teachers, support staff and administrators who work at Hillsdale Community Schools really care about these children and their families! 

 

End of Update, Shawn Vondra