Dear Bloomfield Hills Schools Families,
In the past few months, we have learned a great deal about our resiliency as a community and our strength to support one another in times of need. I am so proud to be a member of the Bloomfield Hills Schools community!
As we progress toward the start of our 2020-2021 school year, I wanted to share a recent development with you. Last night, I presented the Board of Education with our COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, as required by Governor Whitmer. The Board voted to adopt the plans as presented and approved them to be sent to the state. Following the approval of our COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, the Board had a lengthy discussion about our return to school, grappling with the complexities of this complicated time. Ultimately, out of an abundance of caution, the Board voted to start the school year remotely.
The Board’s decision, while unanticipated, provides the opportunity to further develop our in-person return to school plans in a manner that is as safe as possible for all stakeholders. We have robust plans developed for in-person, distance, and virtual teaching and learning and remain confident in our ability to meet the needs of our students. As a full district team, we have devoted our summer months to planning for remote teaching and learning in both the Bloomfield Virtual program and in the event we were not able to bring students back to school in-person.
Our plans are comprehensive and we are deeply committed to maintaining as much of what makes Bloomfield special and unique through our online learning programs. Our administrators, teachers, and support staff have worked through the many challenges of online learning and together, created a plan of which I am immensely proud. I appreciate their efforts and know our students and families will see their hard work reflected in the robust and engaging teaching and learning that students will receive starting on September 8th.
With this recent decision from the Board of Education, our team will quickly pivot and focus our full attention and efforts on preparing to welcome all students back virtually. We will welcome students in a way that continues to create a sense of belonging and strong relationships. We will brainstorm ways in which we can provide care for children of working families and academic support for students who need one-on-one time with a teacher. Together, we will return to school in a way that maintains safety and honors the values we hold as a school community.
As a result of this latest development, we are moving the Bloomfield Virtual Informational Presentation to August 12, 2020, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. The presentation will still be held virtually and will be recorded for later viewing for those who cannot attend. If you have questions about Bloomfield Virtual that you would like answered during the presentation, please submit them using the button at the bottom of the Bloomfield Virtual page www.bhsblueprint.com/virtual.
Thank you for your continued support of Bloomfield Hills Schools!
Sincerely,
Pat Watson, Superintendent