Battle Creek Times

Battle Creek Public Schools issued the following announcement on Jan 7.

Dear Bearcat Families,

In response to the continued community spread of COVID-19 in Calhoun County, we have made the difficult decision to move all grade levels to remote instruction starting on Monday, January 10. Our current plan is for students to return to in-person instruction on Tuesday, January 18, following MLK Day. We will continue to work closely with public health officials to ensure that it is safe to do so on that date and will keep you updated if that plan changes.

Please stay tuned for more information from your school’s principal regarding schedules for remote schooling, technology access, and more. If you have any questions, please direct them to your student’s teacher.

At BCPS, the health and safety of our students, families, and staff members is always our top priority. With rising COVID-19 case numbers as the Omicron variant spreads, we believe this is the only way we can protect the health and safety of our community, while ensuring students can continue learning. Please see below for more details:

Remote Learning Plans

• Pre-K–5 students will engage in remote learning with live classes on Google Meet (not Zoom) in both the morning and afternoon, as well as have self-guided time for assignments with virtual support from teachers available throughout the day. Attendance will be taken in the morning and afternoon. Please stay tuned for more information from your school about their class schedule.
• Grade 6-12 students will engage in remote learning using the same schedule they use in person via Google Meet (not Zoom). Attendance will be taken during each class period.
  • BCAMSC will also be remote from January 10-14.
  • CACC will continue with in person instruction. Stay tuned for more details on this from your student’s teacher.
• Special education students, English Language Learners, and students with IEPs should stay tuned for more information from your student’s teacher.
• Adult education will continue with in-person instruction.
• There will be no school on Monday, January 17, and we plan for students to return to school on Tuesday, January 18.
• Please note that all remote lessons will take place over Google Meet rather than Zoom. If you have any trouble accessing Google Meet, please contact your student’s teacher directly.

Extracurricular Activities

• Athletics events and practices will continue as scheduled. Spectators at events will be limited to athletes’ parents or guardians only. At this time, no students will be permitted to attend.
• Extracurriculars and before-/after-school activities should be held remotely, if feasible. Please stay tuned for more information from your school building.
• All field trips will be canceled or postponed.

Meal Distribution

Food service will be available to all students and pickup available at all buildings twice per day Monday, January 10 through Thursday, January 13.

For elementary schools, meal pickups will be available at each building during the following windows of time:

• 8:15 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
• 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.

For secondary schools, meal pickups will be available at each building during the following windows of time:

• 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
• 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Any questions should be directed to Michelle Morrissey at mmorrissey@battle-creek.k12.mi.us or (269) 965-9521.

Technology Support

For technology support, including Chromebook access, internet connectivity issues, online learning support, and more, please reach out to your student’s teacher who will connect you with available resources.

Questions?

If you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to us at (269) 965-9500. For Spanish language support, please call (269) 419-1978. For Burmese language support, please call (269) 601-6029.

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We know that remote learning places significant burdens on students, families, and our staff members, but the impacts of widespread community cases make this step essential at this time. In partnership with all of our BCPS heroes and the surrounding community, we will do our best to provide as much additional support as possible to families during this difficult time. Please reach out to your student’s building with any questions or concerns.

Thanks and stay well,

Superintendent Kimberly Carter

Original source can be found here.