Category Archives: Schools

Camilleri, Polehanki call for early end to school year ‘to protect students and teachers’

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(HURON HUB file photo)

Posted by The Huron Hub
Thursday, March 26, 2020

State Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown) and Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), called for an early end to the school year following the projected course of COVID-19.

The legislators say the need to provide certainty and a path forward for districts and families is essential at this time.

“We are ready and willing to address this legislatively,” said Camilleri and Polehanki in a joint statement. “But to act faster and provide clarity for our school districts, we urge the Governor to close schools for the rest of the year to protect our students, teachers, and families.”

Both Polehanki and Camilleri said they have key pieces of legislation that would help the state complete this closure in a responsible way, including forgiving days, fixing teacher evaluations, and addressing third grade retention.

Both said that the quickest and most decisive way to close schools would be through action on Governor Whitmer’s part.

Polehanki and Camilleri, both former teachers and Democratic Vice Chairs of the Michigan House and Senate Education Committees, supported Whitmer on recent actions they say protect students and emphasized the importance of ensuring teachers, administrators, and support staff still receive the pay and benefits they deserve if the school year is cut short.

The legislators also called for immediate action to allow districts to plan for the summer and beyond.

“Above all else, we need a swift decision so districts will know where they stand,” said Camilleri and Polehanki. “We know that deciding to close school would lead to many additional questions, and we are ready to work with the Governor’s office, the Department of Education, and our local school districts to make this work for everyone.”

You can view a special COVID-19 (coronavirus) news section on HuronHub.com by clicking on this link.

For current and up-to-date information regarding the coronavirus, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Huron School District donates boxes of medical supplies to local healthcare providers

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The medical supplies seen here were donated to local healthcare providers by the Huron School District. (Photo courtesy Donovan Rowe)

By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published March 23, 2020

The Huron School District is doing its part to ensure that local health care providers are getting much needed medical equipment during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

“The Huron School District donated items of necessity today to our local health care systems,” Superintendent Donovan Rowe said in a social media post on Monday.

Rowe said the district donated 193 boxes of gloves, 250 face masks, and one box of hand sanitizing gel.

State. Rep Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown) picked up the items from the district and dropped them off to local medical providers.

Governors across the country are becoming worried as states run out of medical equipment, The Associated Press reported.

Some hospitals in the country are down to just a day or two of personal protective equipment, the AP reported.

You can view a special COVID-19 (coronavirus) news section on HuronHub.com by clicking on this link.

For current and up-to-date information regarding the Coronavirus, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

 

Whitmer responds to Department of Education’s memo on instructional time during school closure

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Posted Saturday, March 21, 2020

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement regarding instructional time during school closure.

“Earlier, the Michigan Department of Education issued a memo regarding Instructional Time During School Closure. I know it caused a lot of confusion and panic among schools, teachers, students, and families. I wanted to provide some clarification from the perspective of the Governor’s Office.

“The memo does not mean that school work done during the mandatory school closure won’t ‘count’ toward grades, credits, or graduation. Each district should determine what services and supports they are able to provide during this unprecedented crisis. Many are focusing on meeting basic needs and are working around the clock to provide breakfast and lunch for hungry students. Other districts have the ability to provide more learning support as a result of one-to-one technology initiatives. I am in awe of the work that school employees are doing to support their kids and I applaud their efforts.

“As you know, the situation has changed rapidly over the course of the past ten days. We do not know what the future will hold, but we are absolutely committed to ensuring the needs of our students, parents, and families are met as we navigate these uncharted waters. I will be working in the coming days to ensure our seniors graduate and that no child is held back as a result of our ability to provide face-to-face instruction during the COVID-19 school closure.

“To teachers, administrators, and support staff – I thank you for stepping up and helping your students and families.

To students and especially parents, hang in there. We will get through this.”

Camilleri announces ‘Downriver student challenge’ contest to students in his district

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State Rep. Darrin Camilleri

By Scott Bolthouse—The Huron Hub—March 20, 2020

State Rep. Darrin Camilleri, a former teacher, introduced a way to keep students in his district engaged in learning during the mandatory school closure.

Camilleri laid out an academic challenge to students, who can potentially win a gift card worth up to $100 to be used at a local business.

The challenge will be focused around the question: “Why are you proud to be from Downriver or Michigan?”

“As a former teacher, I know that when kids aren’t in school, learning can’t stop if we want to ensure great outcomes for our kids,” Camilleri said. “In order to provide an option to keep students engaged, I’m starting a Downriver Student Challenge today that will be open to any student in my district.”

The challenge is open to all K-12 students in Brownstown, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron Township, Trenton and Woodhaven.

The full assignment can be accessed at tinyurl.com/camilleristudentchallenge

Students can submit pictures, essays, videos, and more. The contest runs through March 31, and entries can be submitted to DarrinCamilleri@house.mi.gov with the subject line “Student Challenge.”

Make sure to identify the student’s grade level and the school they are enrolled in.

Winners of the challenge will receive up to a $100 gift card from a local small business.

Learning resources to be sent to students in the district

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Posted by The Huron Hub, Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Huron School District released a letter Monday laying out the district’s plans for student learning during the mandatory state-wide school closure.

“Our teachers are preparing a list of resources and enrichment opportunities that will help support students as they attempt to stay engaged and maintain skills during this time. You should receive communication from your student’s classroom teacher(s) by the end of the day March 17 with information regarding these resources and enrichment opportunities,” said Superintendent Donovan Rowe.

Elementary schools are opening their buildings in order to provide parents with an opportunity to pick up classroom materials and items from their student’s locker.

In order to limit the amount of people in the buildings, the district is asking that only one adult from each family come to the school.

Times are posted for parents to arrive based on their student’s grade levels.

Parents with students in multiple grade levels are asked to choose one of the windows to pick up all necessary items for your children.

The schedule is as follows:

Kindergarten through Grade 2:

9:00 – 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Grade 3 through Grade 5:

1:00 – 3:00 PM, Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Please view the entire letter for full information. Click here to view the entire letter from the district.

 

Huron Schools to provide free meals to all students in the district through April 3

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Posted by Huron Hub staff on Monday, March 16, 2020 -- 9:30 AM EST

The Huron School District announced their food service plan for students in the district during the mandatory school closure in Michigan.

Here is a letter explaining the program from Superintendent Donovan Rowe:

Dear Huron Families,

Starting on Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, April 3, the Huron School District will provide food service meals (breakfast and lunch) to ALL students in the District, 18 years of age and under, special education students 26 years and under, FREE of charge and regardless of students’ Free & Reduced Meal Status.

The Huron School District will be distributing meals from the High School Circle Drive via drive-thru pick-up service. One person may pick up meals for multiple students, and pick up is available two days per week using the following schedule.

Huron High School Site Pick-up:

    • Tuesdays and Fridays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
    • Huron High School Circle Driveway

A week’s worth of USDA reimbursable meals will be available for each child, each week. There is no requirement to “sign-up” or “register” for any program in order to be eligible for free student meals. This is our school district’s first attempt of a meal delivery system at this scale. Every attempt will be made to feed ALL students who need a meal in our community. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process.

If you have questions pertaining to the Huron School District Food Service Meal Program, please call our Central Office line at 734-782-2441 or visit our website at huronschools.org.