Superintendent Update
From the Office of the Superintendent Dr. Christina Hinds
Greetings!
Dear Families:
Hoping this letter finds you healthy and enjoying the summer!
The district continues to work diligently to carefully plan for our return to school. It is my intention to share a tentative plan by Friday, July 24. Thank you, in advance, for your patience as we formulate the best plan for our students, staff, and community. To assist in our final determinations, please take this brief survey, regarding your hopes for the return to school, Parent/Guardian Return to School-Phase 4 Survey: https://forms.gle/wP74FXQ7XgVoWdQp7
Our planning is based on the MI Safe Schools: Michigan's 2020-2021 Return to School Roadmap, which aligns with the Mi Safe Start Plan, to create a safe and healthy start for our students. As you review the Mi Safe Start Plan, Wayland Union Schools is located in MERC Region 3, all Return to School plans will be aligned with requirements and protocols outlined in the MI Safe Schools: Michigan's 2020-2021 Return to School Roadmap, following the identified phase for MERC Region 3.
Phases Defined
To better understand the return to school phases, please find
a brief breakdown with graphic below.
Phases 1-3:
According to the MI Safe Schools Roadmap, a return to school in Phases 1 - 3 is completely remote learning; therefore if the State of Michigan moves us back into Phases 1 through 3, WUS will be providing remote instruction. If this occurs, you will notice changes to our format, curriculum, and expectations from distance learning in the spring. We have reviewed survey feedback from parents, students, and teachers and are planning for increased direct instruction, streamlined communication and delivery of content, and consistent procedures around the documentation of attendance and participation.
Phase 4:
Wayland Union Schools is located in Allegan County. Allegan County is currently in Phase 4 of the Return to School Roadmap. In Phase 4, school districts may opt for face-to-face instruction, remote instruction, or blended instruction (both face-to-face and remote). Our neighbors have announced plans varying from remote instruction to blended learning. Please watch for WUS updates by Friday, July 24.
In Phase 4, the Michigan Return to School Roadmap requires stringent safety protocols such as:
Face masks
All students preK-12 always wearing face masks on the bus;
All students preK-12 always wearing face masks in the hallways and common areas;
Students, in grades preK-5, must wear face masks in classrooms unless they remain in their classroom all day and do not come in contact with other students;
Students, in grades 6-12, must wear face masks in all classrooms;
All staff members always wearing face masks, except during meals
Increased cleaning protocols; and
Increased hygiene practices and instruction.
Phase 5:
When our region moves to Phase 5, all Wayland Union students and staff will return to face-to-face instruction five days per week. We will follow the directives from the Mi Safe Start Plan, the Governor’s Return to School Roadmap, and Executive Orders.
Phase 6:
Post-pandemic. Return to school as we have typically experienced it.
Conclusion:
We are working diligently to create a plan which best supports the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We are in weekly communication with the Allegan County Health Department, as well as monitoring guidance published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Please look for an update by Friday, July 24. As determinations are made, we will provide you with updates via Infinite Campus, our website, school app, and Facebook.
In partnership,
Dr. Christina M. Hinds
Wayland Union Schools
Superintendent
Virtual Academy of Allegan County (VAAC)
Return to School Update from the Allegan County Superintendents' Association 7/16/2020
Regardless of what plan is ultimately implemented, please be assured that your family and your students will remain an important part of your local school district. We know that regardless of the plan, some families will not be comfortable with sending their students back into a school building. Therefore, we would like to announce the Virtual Academy of Allegan County (VAAC).
This 100% on-line school is being designed by educators at Allegan Area ESA and the local school districts. Similar to the Allegan County Area Technical and Education Center, students enrolled in VAAC will still be part of their local school district and able to take part in activities offered by the district. Very soon you will receive an interest survey about attending VAAC.
We are trying to get an idea of how many families are strongly considering enrolling their student(s) in the Virtual Academy of Allegan County for fall 2020. More information on the curriculum, staff, and teachers will be shared in the near future. We know this is a difficult time as families are trying to prepare for what a return to school will look like. We appreciate your patience and support.
Sincerely,
Allegan County Superintendents’ Association
Class of 2020 Graduation Ceremony Update
We have been monitoring the health crisis and strictly observing the State of Michigan's Executive Orders. We are currently in Phase 4 which only allows for outdoor venues of 100 participants. With the safety of our graduates, community, and staff as our top priority and our ceremony quickly approaching it has been determined that we will host a "Drive in Graduation Ceremony".
Date:
July 30, 2020
Time:
7:00 p.m.
Venue:
Drive In Graduation in the Main High School Parking Lot (Rain or Shine)
Description:
Graduates and Parents will drive in to the High School parking lot. Students and parents will remain in their vehicles. The stage will be the stadium concourse facing the parking lot (it is elevated and should provide an optimum view). Following Social Distancing Guidelines we will conduct our graduation ceremony. Graduates with speaking parts will address the graduating class. (Please note the ceremony will also be live streamed)
Dr. Christina Hinds
Website: waylandunion.org
Location: 850 East Superior Street, Wayland, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 792-2181