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School districts preparing for non face-to-face learning.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.
Local school districts are working on plans to reach their districts’ students following Gov. Whitmer’s executive order to keep school buildings closed the remainder of the school year. While the order closes face-to-face instruction, it also requires the school year to continue.
Mason County Central Superintendent Jeff Mount said he and his staff have been working on plans to continue lessons for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. He said each family will be contacted by a teacher to discuss the course of action for each family. For example, Mount said families with Internet access will be able to utilize online learning. But, families that do not have Internet access will be provided with alternate lesson plans.
Mount said he is also concerned about children’s well-being. Counselors are on call and many have already been in touch with students and families. Since schools have been closed local school districts have provided many resources to parents to assist with continued learning. Many teachers have also continued to stay in contact with their students.
Mount said it is very important that parents/guardians and older students download the MCC app, available for free for major mobile platforms. The school’s website also includes the same information as the app.
“This is our primary communication tool for the school,” Mount said. “It is the most convenient way for parents and students to stay up to date with what is happening in the district.”
In a letter to district parents, Ludington Area School District Superintendent Jason Kennedy said online materials will be uploaded to the district’s website by grade level starting the week of April 13, 2020. This will be done each Sunday evening for the following week. Additional methods to access the learning plan will also be available as district officials work through the details of the executive order, he said.
Families that do not have Internet access will be provided with alternative educational packets, Kennedy said.
Mason County Eastern Superintendent Paul Shoup, in a letter to parents, also stated that the school district is working on a plan. Student packets will be delivered on Tuesday of each week. Parents will be asked to help support their student’s in the completion of the school work.
“As a public safety consideration, these packets will not be returned to school,” Shoup wrote. “Instead, the following week answer sheets will be distributed to families for the previous week’s lessons – along with lessons for the coming week.
Delivery of the MCE packets will start on Tuesday April 14.
Families in the MCE district with Internet access can access academic enrichment activities. Teachers will also be holding virtual office hours (non-face-to-face).
Parents are encouraged to visit their school’s preferred communication
Important information to know:
Ludington Area School District:
Phone: 231-843-8219
Mason County Central:
Phone: 231-757-3713
Mason County Eastern:
Phone: 231-757-3733
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