March 24, 2020 

Yesterday, Governor Whittmer extended the mandatory school closure time period.  All K-12 schools in the state will remain closed until at least April 14th.  Michigan residents have been ordered to "stay home" for the next three weeks.  There are specific jobs and businesses that can remain open and available to provide essential/critical services.  

 

Take Out Meals Program: As food service is recognized as a critical need area, the District will continue to implement the Take Out Meals Program on Tuesday and Friday until further notice.  The pick up time is 12:00-3:00 PM on each of these days at the Hillsdale High School parking lot next to the gym.  Children 18 years old or younger are eligible.    

 

We know how much of a need this is in our community.  Last week alone, 4,752 meals were prepared and served through this program. Our Food Service Director, Laura Call has done a remarkable job coordinating the setup plan, ordering food from multiple sources and ensuring that all of the important food safety guidelines are in place for everyone.  Our cooks in the food service department are so good! They know exactly what is needed and the best ways to get it done.  Teachers, educational aids, bus drivers, custodians, maintenance staff, cooks, secretaries, counselors, administrators, school board members and immediate family members of each of these groups have all helped to make things happen.  The effort by everyone involved has been nothing short of remarkable!    

 

Access to the School Buildings: CHANGE - Unlike the previous week, our district will now be implementing a "Do not access the school policy" during the statewide “Stay Home” order issued by the governor's office.  During this time, the principals, teachers and other other staff members have been directed to not come into the school.  These people will do their very best to monitor and provide information and assistance through email.    

 

Teachers Communicating with Students: Teachers will continue with the Tuesday Updates.  Our goal is to provide students and their families with ideas to keep folks cognitively engaged during this time.  The intent is to provide the “just right” amount of correspondence and ideas.  If parents would like more ideas and activities for their children, then by all means please send an email directly to your child’s teacher; our staff will be happy to help you with those additional resources.  A directory of teachers’ email addresses has been added to the District’s main website page in the News section.  Click on the picture of the envelope with the @ sign at the top and the hornet logo in the middle.   

 

Email from Teachers/District:  All students and parents have accounts for the district’s student information management system.   This system is called PowerSchool.  This is where phone numbers and emails are stored.  If you are not receiving the Tuesday Updates from your child’s teacher(s) or the District, it is likely because information updates are needed.  You may update the contact information in the system on your own.  Or, if you prefer help with updating the PowerSchool account, please contact the administrator of your child’s school through email that includes the current information.      

    Bailey Early Childhood Center: Shelley Ellis - shelley.ellis@hillsdaleschools.org 

    Gier Elementary School: Laurie VanOrman -  laurie.vanorman@hillsdaleschools.org 

    Davis Middle School: Barbara Wheeler - barbara.wheeler@hillsdaleschools.org

    Hillsdale High/Horizon High School: Amy Goldsmith -  amy.goldsmith@hillsdaleschools.org 

 

Mental and Emotional Health: The school district has a team of highly skilled counselors to support the social and emotional needs of our children.  Mrs. Julie North (Davis Middle School) has created a short video message for valuable points of consideration.  Click on the link below to hear these positive ideas and suggestions.   https://login.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8c6a678f586673a76e9e

   

The link below has been reviewed by Mr. Baker (Davis Middle School). It is from the American Psychological Association, the content on this page focuses on how to stay mentally and emotionally healthy as the principles of social distancing are implemented.

https://www.apa.org/practice/programs/dmhi/research-information/social-distancing

 

If you have a question or need for support from one of school counselors, you may contact them by email at the following addresses:

     Gier Elementary School: Ellie Tucker - ellie.tucker@hillsdaleschools.org 

     Davis Middle School: Julie North - julie.north@hillsdaleschools.org   

     Davis Middle School: Jarod Baker - jarod.baker@hillsdaleschools.org  

     Hillsdale High/Horizon High School: Karen Rozelle - karen.rozelle@hillsdaleschools.org 

     Hillsdale High/Horizon High School: Sue Postle - susan.postle@hillsdaleschools.org 

     Hillsdale High/Horizon High School: Michelle Milnes - michelle.milnes@hillsdaleschools.org 

 

Physical Health: Physical activity is an important component in our daily lives.  Physical activity is also an effective strategy for helping many people deal with stress.  Physical education classes are built into children’s schedules throughout school.  With the closures and the “stay home” directives and the unpredictable weather in Michigan, it can be pretty easy to become a couch potato!  It's amazing how one good choice leads to another!  In that spirit, see if you can encourage a member of your family to participate in some intentional physical activity. 

 

Return to School Date: CHANGE - In Governor Whitmer's update on Monday, it was confirmed that all K-12 schools in the state are to remain closed until “at least” April 13th.     

 

End of Update