Utica Community Schools

November 6

What is the return to school adjustment now being made?

The district will be making the following modifications to return to learn plan:

§  Students who are currently in remote learning will remain in remote learning. This includes high school students, students in grades 5-6 and any other student populations scheduled to return to in-person learning on Monday, November 9, 2020.

§  Secondary students who are currently in-person learning will return to remote learning beginning Monday, November 9, 2020. This includes junior high school students, secondary special education, specialty programs, CTE and any other applicable secondary student populations.

§  Elementary students who are currently in-person learning will return to remote learning beginning Thursday, November 12, 2020. This includes K-4 students, elementary special education and any other applicable populations. The additional time is intended to allow families time to make child care plans.

Our students will remain in remote learning until at least Thanksgiving break with a future return plan based on the impact of COVID-19 in our district.

Why is the district returning to remote learning?

The district’s process has been to engage in a gradual and deliberate phased-in return process to monitor the safety data and control COVID-19 risk for our families and community as a whole. Given the current spikes in cases coupled with the higher percentage of positive tests, we must pause in-person instruction.

What factors are considered?

Data considered by the district includes the four-week trends of new cases of COVID-19 as well as the percentage of individuals tested with positive results. The district also carefully monitors COVID-19 cases in the schools and within the cities and townships that make up our school district.

In addition, the district has ongoing discussions with county health officials, community leaders and educational leaders from regional school districts.

Finally, with a growing number of staff quarantines required to address COVID-19 exposure, finding substitute teachers that meet our student needs is a growing challenge.  This is true across the county and particularly for a district of our size.

Why did the district begin the transition to in-person learning?

The process to begin in-person learning was announced in mid-September at a time of relative stability for COVID-19 cases. The average cases per 100 Macomb County resident averages around 5 vs the current average in the mid-20s. The percent of individuals testing positive was below five percent and trending downward vs the current averages between 9-13 percent and trending higher. 

How does this change affect my child’s schedule?

Your school principal is sharing information directly with parents regarding their child’s schedule.

When will we go back to in-person instruction?

The district’s goal remains returning students to full in-person instruction depending on health and safety factors. The unpredictable nature of COVID-19 does not allow for the establishment of a specific timeline. At this time, the district’s plan includes following a similar process of returning students through a gradual process that will allow for time to implement, evaluate, and make changes, if necessary.

Where can I get more information?

For questions related to your school community or child’s education, you should contact your school community. You can also submit a question through this link.