KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Administrators with the Kalamazoo Public School district are hard at work preparing for the next steps of their at home learning plan.
The district has announced that it is canceling an upcoming board of education meeting on Thursday so administrators can focus on the new program.
“There is not an urgent need to hold a meeting and distract the administration from their work on the Continuity of Learning Plan. The education of our students comes first,” said Board President Patti Sholler-Barber in a released statement.
On Twitter Monday, KPS posted on a photo of a recent Zoom conference as they outlined plans for providing services and proper learning experiences.
According to the district’s website their learning plan must still be formally approved by the Michigan Department of Education and details will be shared as soon as they have them. For now students can continue engaging by using “The Learning Hub” website which has activities for each grade level.
Officials say once the at home learning plan is in place, content will be delivered in multiple ways so that all students can access it and teachers will follow up on a weekly basis.
KPS is also conducting a survey to see who has Internet access and what is the preferred method of communication. “Learning materials will be provided to students in a variety of methods. Internet access is not required,” according to KPS’ website.
The district has already distributed hundreds of refurbished Chromebooks to high school students in need. They will notify other students by grade level if additional laptops become available.
In addition, many parents are concerned about how grading will work during this remote learning time. The website states, “Per the Governor’s executive order, the district is creating a process to review and award credits needed for graduation, provide for completion of the Michigan Merit Curriculum, and issue diplomas to students in grade 12. Seniors who were on pace to graduate, will graduate. Counselors will be working with students on an individual basis. Other grade levels: Kindergarten through 11th grade students will advance to their next grade level at the beginning of the next school year. For example, a student currently in first grade will advance to second grade in August.”
Standardized tests will not be held as originally scheduled and will likely be conducted in fall of 2020. Michigan’s Third Grade Reading Law has also been suspended by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order.
District officials say school facilities will remain closed, but once the stay at home order has expired there may be an opportunity for students to return to pick up any personal belongings, but they must wait and monitor the situation first.
The grab and go meal distribution sites will continue in Kalamazoo for any students and families in need during this time.
The full list of Q&A answers can be found on KPS’ website.
