Dear Bloomfield Hills Schools Families,
As we further prepare for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, I would like to provide a few additional details in order to help families formulate plans. To assist families, the following information is provided by grade level and a glossary of terms is provided.
Students in grades K-5
As we shared last week, we will begin the school year with distance teaching and learning. However, our K-5 families will still make a decision between in-person and Bloomfield Virtual for the first semester and/or the full school year (based on family preference) so we can appropriately and adequately allocate staff for our K-5 district needs.
All classes (in-person and virtual) will be taught by Bloomfield Hills Schools teachers.
“In-person” students will begin the school year in a distance teaching and learning environment and will transition to in-person teaching and learning when the district determines it is safe and appropriate to do so.
On August 12th at 6:00 p.m., we will host a Bloomfield Virtual Informational Presentation for families with children in grades K-5.
In order to plan for our eventual return to in-person teaching and learning, between August 11th (starting at 6 PM) and August 18th (ending at midnight), all K-5 families must log in to MISTAR and select either Bloomfield Virtual or in-person for the first semester and/or the full school year.
Families selecting to continue learning virtually after the district resumes in-person teaching and learning must commit to either the first semester or entire school year for Bloomfield Virtual. The student will be placed in a virtual class that will be led by the same teacher throughout the semester.
Once a family selects Bloomfield Virtual, the student will not be able to move to in-person teaching and learning until the start of the next semester.
We are also looking at options for providing childcare support for K-5 families who need assistance during phase 4 remote learning.
Students in grades 6-8
Students in grades 6-8 will keep their schedule that was selected this past spring for the duration of the school year.
All students in grades 6-8 will begin the school year in a distance teaching and learning environment.
When the district determines it is safe and appropriate to return to in-person teaching and learning, families will decide at that time if their child will attend school in-person or continue with their schedule virtually. It is not necessary for families to make this choice now.
All classes will be taught by Bloomfield Hills Schools teachers (unless a student specifically selects a Michigan Virtual course).
More information will be shared during the August 20th Board of Education meeting and we will continue to evaluate the best way to bring students back to in-person teaching and learning.
Students attending Bloomfield Hills High School
Students in grades 9-12 will keep their schedule that was selected this past spring for the duration of the school year regardless of a preference for in-person or virtual.
All students in grades 9-12 will begin the school year in a distance teaching and learning environment.
When the district determines it is safe and appropriate to return to in-person teaching and learning, families will decide at that time if their child will attend school in-person or continue with their schedule virtually. It is not necessary for families to make this choice now.
All classes will be taught by Bloomfield Hills Schools teachers (unless a student specifically selects Michigan Virtual or Dual Enrollment).
More information will be shared during the August 20th Board of Education meeting.
Students attending Bowers Academy
Information regarding Bowers Academy will be shared during the August 20th Board of Education meeting.
Students who receive Special Education services:
We are continuing to explore options to support our students who receive special education services. Building the most appropriate and accessible supports for students is a priority in our planning. The district administration is exploring various learning models to support our students.
We anticipate providing a formal special education support plan at the August 20th Board of Education meeting.
When we resume in-person instruction:
All K-12 students will be required to wear a mask in all areas of the school building. We will have single-use disposable masks available for students who may forget their mask or whose mask may become soiled.
Students will be spaced 6’ apart in all classrooms if the county is in Phase 4.
The return to in-person teaching and learning steps will be outlined during the Board of Education meeting on August 20th.
Glossary of Terms:
Distance Learning or “remote”: Distance learning is quite different from what was experienced in the spring through the Continuous Learning Plan 2.0 in the spring. With better guidance from the state, Distance Learning will include the following:
Attendance: student’s online attendance will be monitored and tracked on a daily basis.
Student Work: Teachers will assess the quality of student work and provide feedback to students and families. Students will self-assess the quality of work, reflect on teacher feedback, and learning progress.
Teachers will facilitate standards-aligned instruction with required activities, experiences, and assessments.
Each student’s classroom teacher will create synchronous and asynchronous learning that promotes student engagement, is delivered consistently, and provides differentiation.
Specialist teachers curriculum and activities will enhance the student learning experience through interdisciplinary connections and collaboration.
Bloomfield Virtual: Virtual learning is different from remote or distance learning. While these terms are often used interchangeably, “virtual” indicates that the family has selected to not attend any in-person instruction in a physical school structure. The commitment is by semester to remain virtual. Bloomfield Virtual K-5 will meet the same standards listed in the Distance Learning section above.
Everything with COVID-19 is fluid at this time and will be continually evaluated and updated in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines. This guidance will help us determine when students return. We will continue to provide information throughout August. To learn more about our Bloomfield Blueprint (return to school plan) please visit www.bloomfield.org/2020-2021.
Thank you for your continued support of Bloomfield Hills Schools!
Sincerely,
Pat Watson, Superintendent