Return to School FAQ
Second Semester Enrollment Window
Q: For Highlander Virtual students who wish to return to in-person learning, but do not get their home school, is going back to virtual an option, or is the decision final?
A: Yes, if students cannot be placed back in their home school, they will have the option to remain in Highlander Virtual.
Q: For Highlander Virtual students who wish to return to in-person learning, can a switch be made before the semester change?
A: No, with the second cardmaking underway and the second-semester enrollment window open, students will not be able to move (from Highlander Virtual to in-person or in-person to Highlander Virtual) until the start of the second semester on Monday, January 4, 2021. The first semester ends on Friday, December 18, 2020.
Q: For in-person students who wish to switch to Highlander Virtual,, can a switch be made before the semester change?
A: No, with the second cardmaking underway and the second-semester enrollment window open, students will not be able to move (from Highlander Virtual to in-person or in-person to Highlander Virtual) until the start of the second semester.
Q: For Highlander Virtual students who wish to return to in-person learning, if one sibling cannot attend our home school could both siblings attend a different school together?
A: If there is room for both students in a different school, both students will have the option to attend that school. Families will be required to provide transportation to and from school.
Q: If a family opts to stay in Highlander Virtual or in-person instruction for the second semester, are they selecting that option for the entire semester or will they be able to switch before the end of the year if they want to do that?
A: Families are being asked to commit to their enrollment choice for the second semester.
Q: If a family opts to switch to in-person or Highlander Virtual for the second semester, are they selecting that option for the entire semester or will they be able to return to in-person or Highlander Virtual before the end of the year?
A: Families are being asked to commit to their enrollment choice for the second semester.
Q: Will Highlander Virtual students be able to have their same core teachers if they return in-person for the second semester?
A: It is unlikely that students will have the same core teachers if they switch to in-person instruction for the second semester.
Q: Will there be different virtual electives offered for the fourth quarter so my child can continue if they choose?
A: The middle school quarter 4 virtual electives are listed under the middle school tab at HowellSchools.com/Virutal. This list is tentative and may change. If changes are made, the website will be updated and families will be notified.
Q: Will the Highlander Virtual schedule/class times change for the second semester?
A: The district is moving towards a more consistent schedule for Highlander Virtual students and classes. Due to this, there may be some adjustments in class times. A sample schedule can be found at HowellSchools.com/Virtual.
Q: Will a student’s teacher(s) change if they remain in Highlander Virtual for the second semester?
A: Depending on how many families elect to switch their child’s enrollment, staffing adjustments may need to be made. While the district will make every effort to keep students with their current teachers, this is not guaranteed.
Student and Staff Safety
Q: Is social distancing a required component of the Preparedness and Response Plan?
A: The MI Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap does not require social distancing. However, we will be implementing as many strategies as possible to maintain spacing in our buildings. Some of the strategies include arranging desks in the same direction, staggered movement of students, and modifications in the cafeteria.
Q: What about classrooms where there are tables and not desks? How will students be spread out? Will desks have to be purchased for that classroom?
A: As feasible, students will be spaced six feet apart in classrooms.
Q: If students can no longer share materials, who will be purchasing materials for each and every child?
A: Within reason, sharing of personal items and supplies will be limited. At the elementary level, students’ personal items will be kept separate and in individually labeled cubbies, containers, or lockers.
Q: Who is providing all of the new disinfectant for our schools?
A: The Operations Department will be providing supplies to clean buildings/classrooms and take care of personal hygiene. Each classroom will be provided with a disinfectant solution so teachers can clean high-touch areas in their classrooms and hand sanitizer. In addition, we will be asking families to provide their kids with hand sanitizer for use as needed.
Q: Who is paying for masks and required PPE for staff? Who is ensuring this will be stocked?
A: We have received PPE supplies in the district. We will need to continue to order supplies throughout the year. With the high demand for PPE, there will always be challenges maintaining the appropriate supply for the demand.
Q: Will students be provided facial coverings? What if they cannot afford their own?
A: Students will be asked to bring their own facial covering. If a student cannot afford one or does not have one, a facial covering will be provided by the building. Homemade or non-disposable facial coverings must be washed daily and disposable facial coverings must be disposed of at the end of each day.
Q: What happens if a child loses, drops, or rips their facial covering during the school day? Will there be enough so that teachers have extras in their room to give out if need be?
A: Each building will have a supply of facial coverings.
Q: Will the district send something out to families to ask for help in preparing for this new normal. Having students practice wearing facial coverings to get familiar, or give sites where face shields can be purchased and here in time?
A: Yes. The district will continue to provide regular updates, which will include the preparations needed for the start of the school year.
Q: How do teachers help a child from six feet away? What if they need help with things like tying a shoe or with their snow pants?
A: Maintaining six feet of distance is not a required component of the MI Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap. As such, it is not practical to maintain six feet distance from students at all times throughout the school day.
Q: If a child goes home sick are they not allowed back until they have had a Covid test and come back with a negative result, which is a 48 hour turn around. Is this something that will be district mandated?
A: Symptomatic students sent home from school should be kept home until they have tested negative or have completely recovered according to CDC guidelines. Livingston County Health Department Guidance: What happens when someone at school gets COVID-19?
Teaching and Learning
Q: What will buildings do if there are teachers who cannot come back in the fall.
A: If the district has vacancies, we will need to fill them. This could be challenging as the candidate pool for both professionally certified teachers and substitute teachers may be smaller than in the past.
Q: Will substitutes be allowed this year?
A: Yes. The district will continue to place substitute teachers in positions as needed. They will be expected to follow all safety protocols established in the Preparedness and Response Plan.
Q: Will students be penalized for attendance this year?
A: We will be recommending changes to the attendance policy to effectively support families in making decisions to keep a child home due to illness or symptoms.
Q: How do students who have PT in their IEP get that if they need to be six feet away from the person there to help instruct them or help with physical medical issues?
A: Maintaining six feet of distance is not a required component of the MI Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap. As such, it is not practical to maintain six feet distance from students at all times throughout the school day. We will provide services as required in a student’s IEP.
Q: If we move to remote learning how do we ensure equitable access for all students?
A: With the district’s 1:1 program, all students will have access to a device. We will continue to provide hotspot access points to families who need them. We are also looking for ways to create hotspots around the community (at buildings).
Operations
Q: How will you ensure proper air ventilation in the schools for staff and students?
A: The Operations Department is responsible for the maintenance of our air ventilation systems. Each building has had the amount of external air flow increased.
