Update
April 3, 2020
Hello Niedermeier Families,
Dear Parent(s),
First, I continue to hope and pray all of you and your families are doing well, staying healthy, and practicing good distancing measures. By all accounts, the next couple weeks are going to be crucial in keeping the spread of this virus to a minimum. I wish you all the best in doing all you can to limit your contact, but still stay as active as possible both physically and mentally.
I am sure all of you are aware of the Governor's Executive Order to close schools for the remainder of the year. We have anticipated this move for about 10 days now and the Monroe County Superintendents and Airport administration have been meeting daily on developing a plan for Airport Students that fulfills the requirements set forth by the Executive Order and Michigan Department of Education. Here is what will take place now. I try to communicate using short, meaningful, and organized information.
Learning Plan
- Airport will use the template that was just issued today by the Michigan Department of Education to put a plan in place for learning for the remainder of this school year.
- We will submit that plan to the Monroe County ISD for their approval. They will then submit it to the State of Michigan.
- Upon approval (which I anticipate being short order) we will begin moving forward in a similar fashion to what is already happening with our principals, teachers, and students.
- We hope to be ready to move forward on Monday, April 13th. That is not set in stone yet, but please plan on that being our start date.
- The major difference is that students need to know they must participate and give every effort to participate and complete daily/weekly learning. EFFORT, EFFORT, EFFORT!
- Airport teachers and Airport principals must be made aware through any avenue possible the students that are having trouble accessing content/contact with their teachers. We will be using the internet, phone calls, paper packets, and any other mode of communication that ensures ALL of our students have access to the learning materials.
- We are working very closely with the Monroe County ISD and teachers to make sure we accommodate students with IEPs and 504 plans to the very best of our ability. We understand some cases may require some compensatory education when necessary.
- All students will be graded on a Satisfactory(S) and Unsatisfactory(U) basis for the rest of the year. Students need to participate and complete their learning opportunities to achieve the Satisfactory for their classes/grade level work. We will all be working to make sure learning takes place but effort needs to be at the forefront of every students' focus for the rest of the year. We want everyone working and trying their very best! Grade point averages for secondary students will not be factored into their overall average for the third or fourth marking periods. Senior grade point averages were finalized at the end of the first semester.
- Additional specific information regarding learning expectations and access will be sent to all students through teachers and building principals.
- Next week is "Spring Break" which certainly looks different this year. There is no expectation for additional enrichment opportunities to be sent from teachers or students to participate in. If teachers continue to make contact with kids that is certainly appreciated. Everyone at Airport wants to stay in touch with kids to make sure they are doing well.
Plan for Big Activities
- Graduation - As sure as I am sitting here, there will be a graduation ceremony for our 220 seniors, the Class of 2020! I don't know when, where, or what it will look like but it will happen. The biggest factor right now are the restrictions we are under regarding gathering. We have no idea when we will be able to gather in big groups. I would guess that it will not be in June. If it has to happen in July, August, September, I don't care, we will have a graduation ceremony. At the end of the school year we can mail diplomas to the seniors that have fulfilled all graduation requirements. State Representative Matt Koleszar was scheduled to be our commencement speaker and he has committed to fulfill that duty no matter when the ceremony takes place. Graduation announcements will be shipped by Jostens directly to your house. We will contact families when caps and gowns arrive. We will figure out how to get these to you.
- Prom - Mr. Lukosavich, Mr. Furtney and I have discussed prom and we want to have some sort of social gathering for our junior and senior class. Again, I do not know when, where, or what it will look like but trust we want to make it happen.
- 8th and 4th Grade Transition Activities - The transition activities that happen in the spring for students moving into new buildings is very important. Elementary principals and I are working together to figure these out too. We will do our best to plan times when students and parents can get into their new buildings and see presentations that will assist them in the transition to their new buildings in the fall of 2020.
- Athletics - The MHSAA came out today and cancelled the end of the winter season and the spring season. This is another item that deeply saddens me. I don't have any words that will make our winter and spring athletes feel any better about the loss of participating in an activity they love. Seniors, I don't know what to say but thank you for all of your hard work, determination, and great representation of Airport Schools.
- Other Activities - I will echo what I said above. Senior band, robotics, club teams, and any activity that you were looking forward to, I just don't have words to express my sorrow for not being able to make these happen.
Food Delivery
Food deliveries will resume on Monday, April 6th. We are providing food over Spring Break, EXCEPT FOR GOOD FRIDAY! Next week we will deliver food on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we will deliver enough food for the weekend. No delivery on Good Friday. I know we had a temporary stop in deliveries this week. The safety of our students and all our staff members preparing the food is our top priority. Hopefully we will not have any more interruptions to service. The same bus routes and drop-off times are in effect.
In closing, next week is spring break. No additional enrichment activities but continue to take care of yourself and your families. I will continue to communicate to you via the school email system and social media. Please trust in the wonderful employees that we have working for your children at Airport Community Schools. I believe we have proven to our community that we will do whatever it takes to provide the best for your children and although this is a very tough situation, with your help and the effort of your children, together we will get it done. Go Jets!
John Krimmel, Superintendent
Airport Community Schools
734-654-4011