FLINT, MI -- Flint students will remain at home indefinitely starting next week, as the school district today announced that it will not be returning to the classroom on Jan. 24.
The decision to continue virtual learning comes from Superintendent Kevelin Jones, who made the call to go virtual to begin the new year after winter break.
“While this decision was not made easily, it is necessary for the greater health of our community,” Jones wrote in a Wednesday, Jan. 19 statement to parents. “We know this is not an easy time for many across our district and we want you to know that you are not alone.”
The announcement to continue virtual learning cited Genesee County’s 38.4 percent COVID-19 positivity rate.
“To lower the transmission number, and to keep it low, we must actively continue distance learning until further notice,” Jones said.
Last week, the district announced that it was opening doors to students once again on Monday, Jan. 24, after about three weeks worth of virtual learning. That was the plan until today’s decision to continue virtually.
Food distributions will be available on Tuesday, Jan. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 27 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at these schools: Durant-Tuuri-Mott, Eisenhower Elementary, Freeman Elementary, Holmes STEM Middle School, Neithercut Elementary, Flint Northwestern, Pierce Elementary, Potter Elementary and Southwestern Classical Academy.
Jones addressed the community’s worries about staying virtual after last week’s Board of Education meeting.
“We want to get scholars back into the buildings, but it is just not safe,” Jones said. “... We are going to be catching up, educationally, for a while anyway. Most people do not understand that. ... We are going to have to catch up, but the world has not ended. We are going to keep going and keep educating.”
Read more on MLive:
Safety remains priority as Flint schools considers entering third week of virtual learning
Danielle Green elected president of Flint Board of Education
Committee to recall Matthew Smith hits signature goal, awaits special election
Grand Blanc schools extend mask requirement, will go virtual until Jan. 25