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New MDHHS guidance encourages schools to safely offer in-person instruction by March 1


In-person classes are planned to start again at Grand Blanc Community Schools by the end of September, for certain students.
In-person classes are planned to start again at Grand Blanc Community Schools by the end of September, for certain students.
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LANSING, Mich. Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced new guidance for schools to reconvene for in-person instruction while keeping students, staff and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new guidance includes wearing masks, ventilation improvements, frequent hand washing and social distancing.

The state’s goal is to have all Michigan school districts offer an in-person learning option for students no later than March 1st. Vaccination of teachers and other school staff will begin by Jan. 11, 2021.

READ MORE: LakeVille Schools to hold board meeting to discuss return to in-person instruction

“MDHHS will continue to do what it takes to save lives and limit the spread of COVID-19,” said Director Robert Gordon. “At the same time, in-person instruction is critical for the current and the future well-being of children, especially young learners and students who are disadvantaged. We encourage schools to reopen as soon as they can do so with proven protections for staff and students.”

The new guidance is for grades pre-kindergarten through 12 and includes early childhood education, such as Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program.

READ MORE: Michigan reports 25 new COVID-19 outbreak sites at schools

“The value of in-person learning for our kids is immeasurable, and we must do everything we can to help them get a great education safely,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Over the last 10 months, medical experts and epidemiologists have closely followed the data and have learned that schools can establish a low risk of transmission by ensuring that everyone wears a mask and adopting careful infection prevention protocols. I also announced this week that educators and support staff will be eligible for the next phase of COVID vaccinations beginning Jan. 11 to help protect them and their families as they return to work. I strongly encourage districts to provide as much face-to-face learning as possible, and my administration will work closely with them to get it done.”

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Other infection control measures in the new MDHHS guidance include:

  • When feasible, assigning children to cohort groups and limiting their interactions to their cohorts to reduce the number of contacts.
  • Keeping children 6 feet apart from one another to the extent feasible, making creative use of school spaces to facilitate distancing.
  • Providing adequate hand sanitizing supplies and reinforcing proper handwashing techniques.
  • Improving air ventilation.
  • Having staff and students conduct self-screenings for symptoms at home every day before going to school.
  • Ensuring school plans are in place in coordination with their local health department if there are any positive COVID-19 tests.
  • Having staff and students who either test positive or are close contacts of those who test positive follow the guidance issued by MDHHS as well as local health departments. Anyone who is considered a close contact of someone who tests positive but does not have symptoms should quarantine for 10 days under CDC guidance.

The K-12 Alliance issued a statement following Governor Whitmer's announcement on in-person learning reconvening:

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, schools have been committed to providing the best, and safest, possible education for students, based on the guidance from medical experts and Governor Whitmer. We have always agreed in-person learning is the best option for students and appreciate Governor Whitmer’s belief in that. To be successful in that, however, now requires broad access to the COVID-19 vaccine for school employees and ensuring there is very clear guidance made available on when vaccinated employees can return to work. The Governor’s announcement today is welcomed, but we will now need the support of our health officials to provide vaccines and guidance to ensure that teachers and students can return to classrooms safely and successfully."

Launch Michigan released a statement in response to Gov. Whitmer's response to resume in-person learning:

“The governor’s plans for a safe return to school offer welcome news for our state and its children. While necessary, we know distance learning has been challenging for all students and educators and, while all have stepped up in huge ways, we know learning is strongest when it happens face to face. As our state’s teachers, administrators and support staff can be protected through timely vaccine access, an important marker is beginning to be set in place. Our partners look forward to working in communities across Michigan to ensure this planned return to face-to-face instruction is safe and effective for everyone.”

The Great Lakes Education Project issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

“Governor Whitmer’s decision to lock students out of their classrooms has had a devastating impact on Michigan children, particularly those from low-income families. It will take years for students to overcome learning losses created by Whitmer’s unscientific lockdowns, instituted in conflict with the evidence and against the advice of physicians and the CDC. The first critical step to meeting the needs of these students is to get them back in the classroom, and the time to unlock school doors is now, not March. Governor Whitmer’s decision to simply ask schools to re-open, and only after 7 more weeks pass, only makes Michigan’s education crisis worse. Meanwhile, teachers can only hope they’ll actually be able to receive their vaccinations, amidst the state’s disastrous rollout of the COVID-19 immunization. Every day between now and March 1 with padlocked school doors is a day Governor Whitmer forces students to fall further behind.”


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