As we look to the upcoming school year, we are excited to see the return of our students. The past several months have brought uncertainty and hardship for many of our families. Throughout this next year, many things will remain uncertain but one thing remains the same, we will make all decisions with our students’ health, safety, and education in mind. During this next year, we ask for your flexibility and understanding as we navigate these new territories together!
The MPPS Return to Learn Roadmap 2020 (updated 8-25-20) (pdf) was created with input and guidance from district families, MPPS staff, the Central Michigan District Health Department, Centers for Disease Control, and the Michigan Department of Education.
The following questions were the primary focus of this plan:
What do our students/families want/need?
What does our faculty/staff want/need?
What do CDC and MDE propose/recommend?
The climate of COVID-19 is ever-changing and as health experts learn more, this plan will likely evolve. MPPS understands this and will continuously update and adapt as new recommendations come about. The guidance set out in this plan pertains specifically to our school settings and community. The recommendations included in this document are endorsed by the Central Michigan District Health Department and Mount Pleasant Public Schools and are subject to adjustment as conditions change.
Again, thank you for your support as we make decisions for our kids!
Pathway 1: Face to Face (including Hybrid)
Students will have two face to face options depending on their grade level. Students in DK-8th grade can choose in-person instruction 5 days per week. Students at Mt Pleasant High School can choose in-person instruction using a hybrid model. For all face to face programs, enhanced safety precautions in place such as increased hand sanitizer availability, increased frequency of cleaning high touch areas, limited visitation to schools, in order to possibly prevent the transition to a hybrid or full distance learning option.
This is our plan for the start of the school year, while our region is in Phase 4. Plans could be adjusted if we receive additional or different guidance from the Governor. In addition to the REQUIRED components of the Back to School Roadmap, every effort will be made to follow the Strongly Recommended guidelines:
● In person and online classroom instruction
● Specific individual building plans outlining enhanced safety are being finalized and include:
- Students and staff will be expected to wear masks at all times. (Masks will be provided)
- Students must wear masks if they ride the bus
- Students and staff will build in hand washing and hygiene lessons into their daily schedule
- DK-5 student schedules will be organized to limit classroom transitions within the building
- One way traffic in hallways and “facing forward”, social distanced desks will be organized for classrooms with the goal of having desks 6 feet apart if at all possible.
- Recess and lunchtime will be highly organized to follow social distancing guidelines
- Students or staff not feeling well will be quarantined and sent home
Pathway 2: Oilers Online
Oilers Online~Remote Learning Plan (Google Doc Link) – Students participate in the learning of new material, continued standard pacing, interactive lessons, graded assignments, and assessments via Google Classroom learning management system.
- Video lessons will be provided to teach core content areas.
- Odysseyware courseware may be used for grade and subject appropriate content for secondary students
- Feedback and assessment, as well as teacher office hours, will be established
- The rigor and expectations for the online learning plan will mirror that of the Enhanced Traditional Plan
- A remote learning team is being established to work on establishing and enhancing our Oilers Online program.
- Click here for the Oilers Online Enrollment Form (Google Form Link)
Misc. Return to School Information
MPPS COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan (pdf)
Mt. Pleasant Great Starts Program COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan (pdf)
Process for COVID-19 Case at School from CMDHD (pdf)
CMCHD Return to School Toolkit (Link)
MPPS Refrigerator Health Reminder (pdf)
MPPS Return to Learn Roadmap 2020 (updated 8-25-20) (pdf)
MPPS Return to School FAQs (Link)
Oilers Online~Remote Learning Plan (Google Doc Link)
State of Michigan Safe Schools Roadmap (pdf)
Gratiot Isabella School Districts Letter Fall 2020 (pdf)
We miss our students! And we want to return to school! To help Mt. Pleasant Public Schools return to school, it is increasingly important that we can count on our parents and families to help us follow the CDC guidelines, and the Return to School Roadmap. We need your help with preparing your student to wear a mask at all times, and to wash their hands frequently. We need your help with checking your student’s temperature at home every morning, and keeping them home if they have a fever, along with monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. We need your support if we take temperatures at school and need to send your child home.
Our priority is to keep everyone safe while not making life more difficult for our parents. Each family situation is uniquely different. We fully understand your varied concerns about health and safety, distance learning, the importance of face-to-face instruction, parents needing to work, the economy, and all of the other unexpected consequences of not being in school or being in school in a traditional model. If for some reason, we can’t be in a traditional school situation, our goal is to find the best way to have our students safely in our buildings as frequently as possible to ensure the health and well-being of all.
MPPS Building Contacts
Individual building plans will continue to be reviewed and refined by administrators, principals, teachers, and essential staff members. For specific information or concerns related to your child’s plan for returning to school this Fall, in person, or as a part of Oilers Online, please contact your child’s principal.
Ganiard (DK-2), Marcy Stout (Principal) mstout@mp.edzone.net
Vowles (DK-2), Kim Bishop (Principal) kbishop@mp.edzone.net
Pullen (DK-2), Diane Falsetta (Principal) dfalsetta@mp.edzone.net
Fancher (3-5), Katie Rinke (Principal) krinke@mp.edzone.net
McGuire (3-5), Susan Renaud (Principal) srenaud@mp.edzone.net
Middle School (6-8), Darby Weaver (Principal) dweaver@mp.edzone.net
Middle School (6-8), Matt Walderzak (Asst. Principal) mwalderzak@mp.edzone.net
High School (9-12), John Winkler (Principal) jwinkler@mp.edzone.net
High School (9-12), Jeff Platte (Asst. Principal) jplatte@mp.edzone.net
Mt Pleasant Community Education, Kimberly Funnell (Director) kfunnell@mp.edzone.net.
GI-TEC (9-12), Mary Kay Voeks (Principal) mvoeks@mp.edzone.net
