HMS Special Edition
February 12th, 2021
March 8 Return to Learn Update
March 8 Return to Learn Update
February 12, 2021
Students, Parents, and Staff:
This communication includes information about our Return to Learning policies and procedures beginning March 8, which is also the first day of the third trimester. As you have heard, we are returning all in-person students to four day weeks (M, T, Th, F). For those students who choose, we will also continue to offer a 100% Hopkins Remote experience. Wednesdays will be an at-home learning day for all students, regardless of their in-person or remote status.
Two documents are attached to this communication. The first is titled, “HMS Preparedness Plan 20-21”. This document is the official update to the Preparedness Plan posted at the beginning of the year. It contains information on the Operational Routines, Instruction, and Support for Students and Staff. This document is linked to a similar district-wide document and is posted to the HPSvikings.org website.
The second document is titled, “HMS March 8th Parent Communication”. This is a shorter version of the first document and contains a list of all the routines and procedures that students and staff will encounter on a daily basis in the building.
I would encourage you to read through both documents before deciding if you would like to switch your student’s current learning environment. If, after reading, you are content with the current learning environment (in-person or fully remote) for your student, you will not need to do anything else. We will roll students over to the same learning environment for March 8th.
If you decide to change from in-person to remote or vice versa, please click the following link and fill out a short questionnaire. Please have this questionnaire complete no later than Tuesday, February 23rd. We will contact you to confirm you are opting to switch learning environments for your student.
March 8th Change of Learning Environment Questionnaire
I would also like to share with you my rationale for many of the changes you will read in the two plans.
First, with all in-person students back in classrooms we will be unable to use distancing as a mitigation measure against the spread of COVID. Our focus will be shifting to contact tracing for the third trimester. I am still required to communicate with the Allegan County Health Department and the community when we learn of positive COVID cases in the building. I am still required to identify and quarantine all students who have been within six feet of a positive case for longer than 15 minutes. I will do my best to limit the number of students that meet this criteria while inside the building. My goal is to limit the number of students and families who may be asked to quarantine to as few as possible. This is why alphabetical seating charts will be used while students are in the building.
Second, the lunch seating chart has become a topic of discussion. I understand that middle school is a highly social environment for students. Honestly, it should be. These years are so important for a student’s social growth. However, I am making the decision to create the lunch seating chart. This will keep similar students together while indoors, and it takes the “picked last for dodgeball” effect out of the lunchroom. I encourage students to see this as an opportunity to chat with others they may not usually interact with. I also am opening up the courtyard lawn as a place students can go to eat with their friends if they choose. The seating chart is just for the times students need to be indoors.
Finally, the locker decision was made to limit the amount of potential contact traces that will need to be made. Despite our best efforts to assign alphabetically, lockers become a magnet for hanging out. In a normal year this is appropriate. I have also discussed this topic with students and have found that a majority prefer to have their bags with them in class anyway, and with the digital nature of the year, bags shouldn’t be too heavy.
Please know that the procedures listed in our plans are subject to change. I would like to start the 3rd trimester with this plan and monitor how things go from there. We have been in a climate of constant change this year, so if my requirements from ACHD change the plan will too.
I would like to end this communication by sharing our feelings of excitement. Being with all students on a more regular face-to-face basis will increase the depth of discussion in classrooms, provide opportunities to form meaningful relationships, and create positive memories for all.
If you would like clarification or have concerns about our plan, please feel free to reach out to me via phone or email.
Sincerely,
Scott Stockwell
HMS Principal
Hopkins Middle School
Email: stepcaul@hpsvikings.org
Website: hpsvikings.org
Location: 215 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI, USA
Phone: (269) 793-7407
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsMiddleSchool/
Twitter: @hpsmiddleschool
The Hopkins Public School District Board of Education complies with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status, height, weight, or disability in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Mr. Gary Wood Superintendent of Schools, Hopkins Public Schools, 400 Clark Street, Hopkins, MI 49328 Phone 269-793-7261.