Dear BR Families,
We have had a number of questions come in regarding our survey and the option to select either on-campus or remote learning. We appreciate the time you have taken to consider both options, and we want you to know that we are working hard to have all of the details released this week. We will continue to remain flexible as we create student schedules because we know each family has a unique situation. I hope this communication will answer some of the questions that many parents have asked.
Q: Why is the deadline for the survey so soon?
A: The survey is due this Wednesday because the results of it will help us to determine the specifics for how we run school here on campus in the safest way possible. The amount of students off-campus significantly impacts our social distancing efforts, so that is why the deadline was rather short. We know many families feel strongly one way or the other and will want to move forward with the scheduling process. For those families with more questions, BR will work to be flexible with the needs of all students regardless of the deadline! We want our families to make the best decision possible for their students. Please turn in the survey with your best information; we understand that this is a fluid situation.
Q: Why does it feel like this is taking so long?
A: The Operation Rat Return Instruction and Technology team is meeting daily and working diligently to design its own curriculum to be both in-person and remote. The BR learning experience your child receives in the upcoming fall semester will be the same personalized education that you have grown to expect. It is a very large task to take our own programs and give them to our families in a new way. We are so unique, and we are striving to stay that way with the curriculum designed by our teachers for our passionate and creative learners.
Q: What will remote learning really look like compared to in person?
A: The teachers will be using Google Classroom for both remote and in-person options so all kids receive the same content. Over the past several months, teachers have created mock classrooms, worked hard to address the way student notifications are received, and articulated best practices for all teachers to follow so parent/learning facilitators have consistency. Students will receive the same content, but the experience will be different in delivery. This will allow us to have the flexibility for continuing learning if we transition back into Phase 3 and face a full-school shutdown again in the future. Also, grades will count for students in either option in the same way. Students must do the work to earn their grades and to show they are engaged with learning the material.
Q: Why is Black River not doing a "hybrid" plan with fewer students on campus to help with social distancing?
A: As a school without busing, it is very difficult to have a schedule that has half of our students on campus while the other half is required to stay home. Just as nearly every other Ottawa County school district, we are offering instruction for all students Monday through Friday as allowed in Phase 4 of the MI Safe School Start Roadmap.
Q: Can a student take some classes in-person and some remotely?
A: No. Please understand that due to scheduling challenges, this option must be either 100% remote or 100% in person.
Q: If we opt for remote learning, may our student(s) participate in extracurricular activities?
A: Yes. A remote student is still a BR student, and the extracurricular activities that are able to meet safely under the MI Safe School Start Roadmap guidelines are open to BR students.
Q: Since all students who are physically able will need to wear a face mask at school, will the school provide students with masks?
A; Yes! Black River will provide all students in grades K-12 with two cloth masks that have the block lettering "BR" on them.
Q: What will the school's response be if there is a positive case of Covid-19 from a student or staff member?
A: We will follow the plan in place with the Ottawa County Health Department for responding to any positive cases, as well as for notifying families who may have had contact with any positive cases.
I hope this helps you understand our process as you make your family decisions. We appreciate the patience and understanding you have extended as our task force of over sixty committed members continues to finalize the many details and decisions in order to give our families the safest and most comprehensive reopening plan.
Thank you,
Shannon