#WeAreFenton
December 17, 2021
Happy Holidays!
Dear FAPS Families,
On behalf of the FAPS Board of Education, FAPS Administration and our amazing FAPS staff, we wish you a very Happy Holiday season!
Please read the important messages below regarding our COVID-19 protocols and administrative changes for second semester.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Hartley
FAPS Superintendent
COVID-19 Protocols/Policies
December 17, 2021
Dear FAPS Families,
I would like to thank you for your patience, support, and resolve as we work together to navigate through these difficult times. We are approaching the end of the first semester and preparing to finish strong after the break. I would like to outline our plan to do just that when we return from the holidays.
On December 22, 2021, the Genesee County Health Department (GCHD) will be lifting the mandatory mask order for schools. Due to this change from the GCHD, beginning on January 18, 2022, the start of the second semester, Fenton Area Public Schools will be moving to the revised health department guidelines, strongly recommending masks be worn by staff and students.
When we return from break on January 3, 2022, and through January 14, 2022, masks will be required during the instructional day. During these last two weeks of the first semester, FAPS will continue to follow the current GCHD school toolkit, which we have followed since the beginning of the school year. Also, beginning December 22, 2021, we will strongly recommend students and adults wear a mask at all activities and events that are not held within the instructional day. All students and staff must continue wearing masks on buses per the federal mandate for public transportation.
This plan is rooted in a number of factors as we look to give our students the opportunity to focus solely on their education upon returning from break, maintain our attention on the end of semester responsibilities, including semester exams for our secondary students, continue the three feet contact tracing leading up to and during final exams, and to strengthen our staffing levels and processes to address the added responsibilities these new GCHD guidelines will bring to our administration and teaching staff. We are increasing our resources to address the new guidelines beginning on January 18, 2022 and are looking forward to starting the second semester as strongly as we finished the first.
We will continue to encourage vaccinations and masks as mitigation strategies and maintain our daily testing site at the high school for students and staff.
COVID-19 Protocols/Policies beginning January 18, 2022
(These are a few of the changes that will go go into effect on 1/18/22)
Masks are strongly recommended/encouraged.
Close contacts will be defined as individuals exposed to a positive case for more than 10 minutes and within 6 feet.
Vaccinated students will not be required to quarantine unless they are symptomatic. Proof of vaccination must be provided.
Unvaccinated students will have “Test out of quarantine” options, just as they do now.
Close contacts, vaccinated or unvaccinated, must wear a mask and monitor for symptoms for 14 days following exposure.
If the close contact is unwilling to participate in the daily testing and/or wear a mask during the time period noted above, they will need to follow the GCHD quarantine timeline of 10 days following the last exposure.
The details above, along with other information regarding the revised procedures and protocols for our second semester transition, will be communicated the week of January 3, 2022.
We know it is important for our families to have choice when it comes to what is best for their child and their family situation. To that end, we are extending the deadline to register for our virtual option, or to notify us of an in-person return to school, to January 5, 2022. This extension, for both our elementary and secondary students, will allow families who want to make a change in format for the second semester more time to make a choice based on the information provided.
As always, thank you for helping FAPS maintain a positive and safe atmosphere for our students. I wish each and everyone of you a Happy Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Hartley
Superintendent
Administrative Changes for 2022
As we begin a new year and look to start the second half of the school year, our school community will see a few changes to our administrative team. Below are the changes at each building impacted by the changes and details of the transitions that will take place. More information will be sent out as positions are filled.
North Road Elementary
Melissa Lane, North Road Elementary Principal, will be leaving at the end of January to take a position for Novi Schools in Novi, Michigan. Mrs. Lane was hired in 2017 and has done an outstanding job for us. We will miss Mrs. Lane and wish her the very best!
We will be placing an Interim Principal at North Road to finish out the school year. We will begin the process of hiring a new principal for the 2022-2023 school year in the spring. Look for more information the week of January 3, 2022.
AGS Middle School
Our AGS Middle School Assistant Principal, Ms. Stefanie Roberts, will be deployed in January. First and foremost, we thank Ms. Roberts for her service to this great country and wish her the very best. Ms. Roberts is a Major in the US Army Reserves and is in her 20th year of service. We have started the process of filling her position with an interim assistant principal. An internal posting has been sent to all staff and we look to name the interim by the week of January 10, 2022.
Fenton High School
Mr. Mike Bakker has been named Interim FHS Principal for the remainder of 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Bakker has taken the position of interim principal due to Mrs. Lemke returning to the position of FHS Assistant Principal. We will begin the process of hiring a new FHS Principal for the 2022-2023 school year in the spring. Look for more information as we approach spring break.
While change is inevitable, so is the energy, the passion and the dedication our administrative team shares for Fenton Area Public Schools.
December 13, 2021 Board Meeting Review
Administrative Reports
- Second Reading of Board Policy Updates Vol. 36-1- Dr. Adam Hartley
- Course Proposals for FHS CTE Programming 22-23 - Mrs. Heidie Ciesielski/Mrs. Lindsay Grady
- Review of updated COVID-19 School Toolkit- Dr. Adam Hartley
- Meaningful Consultation Plan for ESSER Funds- Dr. Adam Hartley/Mrs. Heidie Ciesielski
Action Items
Approval of Second Reading of Policies- Vol. 36-1- Dr. Adam Hartley
Approval of new FHS CTE courses - Mrs. Heidie Ciesielski
Approval of the updated Emergency and Crisis Plan - Dr. Adam Hartley/Officer Tom Cole
- Approval of Staff Retention Payment - Dr. Adam Hartley
- Resolution to approve annual Summer tax levy - Dr. Doug Busch
Board Reports, Requests, and Announcements
GCASBM Holiday Gathering, Board Service & Retirement Awards Program
Thursday, December 9, 2021 5:30 p.m., Zehnders of Frankenmuth
Regular Board Meeting, Monday, January 10, 2022, 6:00 p.m., Administration Bldg.
Sunny at Oxford
- F.A.S.T.
Parent Focus Group Meeting/Student Meeting
3D Subcommittee Meeting 11/22/21
Finance 12/6/21
SAVE the DATE - Parent University (January 26, 2022 - Ruby F. Zima FHS Auditorium)
An Evening with Julia Cook
This is a hands-on hour of laughs and parenting tricks of the trade. You’ll walk away with information and tricks that you can actually use!
Topics addressed include:
How to effectively address the current needs and worries of the Covid 19 situation with children
Video game addiction
Balancing the parenting act
Personal safety of kids
Teaching kids social skills through books
Also, we cover the following:
As educators and parents, our ultimate goal is to make a positive difference to children and help them reach their highest potential and become the best that they can be in all they do. This goal is getting harder and harder to reach.
*How do we accomplish the great task of teaching our kids the BIG LIST of everything they need to know and succeed in life when they believe that all of their needs are being met through screen time?
*How do we teach our kids online safety? How do we allow technology to add to our children’s life as opposed to taking from it?
*How do we create an environment where kids genuinely "want it" more than we want it for them?
This parenting talk takes a look at the things that world class parents and educators are doing to accomplish the "ultimate goal." By creating a craving for knowledge, setting boundaries, teaching GRIT, encouraging patience, and developing E.Q., our children can be their ultimate best and become prepared for their paths that lie ahead!
Testimonials
“I have my worries and reservations about sending my kids to school this year. However, after hearing Julia speak, I feel I now have the tools to talk more effectively to my child about the world and our current situation”– Kim Dieckman – 8th grade teacher and lloving mom of 3 kids ages 9, 13, and 15.
“I found Julia Cook's visit to be extremely inspiring. What she does for students, teachers and parents it truly amazing. Her passion to make the world better and help children be the best they can be is remarkable. Her books give teachers and parents tools to use and students a fun and entertaining play book for behavior skills. The energy she brought to our school kept everyone buzzing and smiling for days. Thank you for a life-changing, memorable experience.”
Anne Haskins - Parent
“One of the best and most informative hours I have ever spent at a school.”
Richard Harrison - Parent