The purpose of this communication is to provide a more detailed overview of Saugatuck Public Schools’ Learning Options for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. In-person learning is planned to take place following the required and strongly recommended safety protocols outlined in the MI Safe Schools Roadmap that were used to develop the SPS COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. In-person learning for three and four year old preschool students will follow similar safety protocols to those implemented at DES. Parents of preschool students are asked to call central office at 269-857-1444 to confirm their child’s preschool enrollment.
These short video clips explaining the SPS Regional Online option for elementary, middle and high school students may be helpful in better understanding the attached Saugatuck Public Schools’ 2020 Learning Options One Page-3 (1).pdf document.
Several parents have asked questions about homeschooling options for the start of the school year. Parents should understand that homeschool education is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Pupil accounting rules dictate that families that choose to homeschool must un-enroll their children from Saugatuck Public Schools. Resident students being homeschooled wishing to return to SPS, may do so at any time. School of Choice students being homeschooled must wait until the next open school of choice window and reapply to enroll with SPS.
The attached flow chart Flowchat-student with symptoms (1).pdf from the Allegan County Health Department outlines the process for handling students who present with COVID-19 symptoms at school. A wealth of helpful and important public health data, information, resources and mitigation strategies can be found on the Allegan County Health Department COVID-19 Page.
Parents are invited to a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on August 11th, at 6:30 p.m. Principals Mark Neidlinger and Michaelle Gust, Special Education Director John Koerner , and MS/HS Social Worker Katie Gibbie will join me in answering questions parents/guardians may have regarding the in-person or online options.
Finally, please take a few minutes to select which back to school option you are choosing for each child in your family by completing this brief survey by August 14th.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020SPSLearningOptions
Our team has been working diligently to insure families have a safe in-person option and a totally online option for returning to school in the midst of a very challenging situation. I appreciate your patience, grace and understanding as we all pull together to move forward in providing for the education of your children.
Tim
