April 9, 2021 - COVID-19 Instructional Model Update

Milan Area Schools Families,

Today at 10:00 AM, Governor Whitmer held a press conference focused on Michigan's response to COVID-19.  At the press conference, she made several recommendations to Michigan residents.  Below are the two recommendations that directly affect Milan Area Schools:

• High schools voluntarily go remote for two weeks (following spring break)
• Youth sports (school and non-school) voluntarily suspend games and practices for two weeks

The district has considered these recommendations.  We also continue to monitor the data and information that we have consistently used to make decisions regarding district operations, including: 

• Student-to-teacher two way communications (student attendance)
• Milan Area Schools’ COVID Case Dashboard
• Positive/probable staff and student COVID cases
• Staff and student quarantines caused by contact at school
• MDHHS School Decision Matrix for In-Person Instruction

• COVID Data in Michigan, Washtenaw County, and Monroe County
• CDC guidance for social distancing and other mitigation strategies
• MDHHS guidance for social distancing and other mitigation strategies

At the March 24th MAS Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to continue in the hybrid model (with full virtual option) for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.  This decision was not taken lightly by the Board of Education.  The district values face-to-face instruction.  One reason for remaining hybrid was the ability of the district to maintain social distancing in classrooms and throughout the buildings with lower student density. 

Milan Area Schools has been successful at implementing numerous mitigation strategies that have allowed us to remain open in a hybrid model (even during times of elevated community spread).  These include appropriate social distancing, regular hand sanitation, regular surface sanitation, daily deep cleaning and sanitizing, mask requirements for students and staff, and limiting outside visitors.

At this time, the continued implementation of these successful mitigation strategies has led the district to a decision to remain hybrid (with a full virtual option).  At this time, we will NOT be shifting to remote learning in any of our buildings.

Under the current MDHHS/MHSAA testing regimen, athletes are tested for COVID at least once a week.  The Huron League schools will be meeting this weekend to discuss athletic competitions moving forward.  At this time, it is our belief that we can safely continue athletic practices and competitions under strict adherence to current (and possibly increased) mitigation strategies. 

Milan Area Schools will continue to closely monitor COVID related data and information.  The district will provide the community with timely updates regarding academic instruction and athletic operations (if any changes become necessary).  

Please continue to follow all COVID-19 health and safety recommendations from the Washtenaw Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Following these recommendations and doing our part will continue to support the greater good.  You have been incredible partners through this pandemic and I have no doubt we will continue to get through this together.  

Thank you again for your support. 

Thank you,
Bryan Girbach
Superintendent

WANT TO GET COVID VACCINATED

All Michigan residents age 16 and older are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. You can request an appointment with the Washtenaw County Health Department, Monroe County Health Department, Meijer (including at Ford Field), Rite-Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and Walgreens. You can also text ‘COVID’ to 75049 to register for a vaccine through Meijer. (Please know that only the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for ages 16+; Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for ages 18+.)

March 25, 2021 - COVID-19 Instructional Model Update

Milan Area Schools Families,

At the March 24th Board of Education meeting, I provided the Board with an update on the district’s Extended Continuity of Learning (ECOL) plan.  The update included:

• A review of student’s two way communications with teachers (student attendance)
• An update on the Milan Area Schools COVID Case Dashboard
• A discussion of the MDHHS School Decision Matrix for In-Person Instruction

In addition, I provided the Board information regarding:

• COVID Data in Michigan, Washtenaw County, and Monroe County
• CDC guidance for social distancing and other mitigation strategies
• MDHHS guidance for social distancing and other mitigation strategies
• Staff survey data
• Community survey data
• Logistics of a return to more in-person instruction
• Quarantine requirements with higher student density in classrooms (6-foot quarantine requirement still in place per MDHHS and Health Department)

Following the presentation, I made the recommendation for Milan Area Schools to continue in the hybrid model (with full virtual option) for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.  The Board of Education then had a lengthy conversation where they weighed the overall benefits and overall deficits of a shift to increased in-person instruction in April.  Following the discussion, the Board voted to continue in the hybrid model (with full virtual option) for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

This decision was not taken lightly by the Board of Education.  The district values face-to-face instruction. However, in the end, the totality of the deficits overshadowed the benefits of a shift to more in-person instruction being implemented in April.  We thank everyone for participating in the district surveys.  The survey responses were very important to me and the Board of Education as we made our decision.

With plans in place for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, the district will ramp up our focus on summer school offerings and a full return to in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.

Traditional school services remain available for all students regardless of their instructional model. Families are encouraged to reach out to teachers, office staff, or building principals should they need help. Services include (but are not limited to):  

• Technology assistance (for both students and parents)  
• Food service distribution  
• Social-emotional support (e.g. counseling, behavioral support, crisis intervention)  
• Special Education and English Language Learner support

Please do not hesitate to contact your school building office if you have any questions. 

Please continue to follow all COVID-19 health and safety recommendations from the Washtenaw Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Following these recommendations and doing our part now will support the greater good.  You have been incredible partners through this pandemic and I have no doubt we will continue to get through this together.  Thank you again for your support. 

Thank you,
Bryan Girbach
Superintendent