Huron School District

Attention Huron Families:

This morning, Governor Whitmer announced that she is instituting a state wide “Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order” in the state of Michigan. According to Governor Whitmer, this order requires all Michigan residents to remain in their homes “for at least the next three weeks.”

“Essential work” will be required to continue, in order to ensure state functionality and continuation of services. This includes banks, gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other “essential life-saving services.” Our school breakfast and lunch distribution fits into this category and will continue during this time, with the exception of the Spring Break, scheduled for April 6-10. No district employees will be working during the scheduled Spring Break on our calendar. I applaud the efforts of our food service department, custodial staff, and district volunteers who have participated in the food service distribution for community. This service is essential for students who need it, and I am grateful for all of the individuals who continue to work to serve our families.

Governor Whitmer’s announcement also included an amendment to the school closure executive order. The School closure has been extended through April 13, which includes the time of our already scheduled spring break, plus one extra day. At this time, classes are expected to resume on Tuesday, April 14, 2020. We can expect more information pertaining to the closure to follow from the Governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Education.

The Michigan Department of Education sent out a press release stating that the federal government has approved preliminary waivers for state M-Step testing for this year. In other words, it looks as though the state assessment requirements will be waived for the 2019-2020 school year. I have attached the press release to this email.

We are still awaiting information and guidance related to many questions impacting schools and the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. One question on everyone’s mind is the possible extension of the school year and the possibility of make-up days vs. waiving missed instructional days and time. We still have many unanswered questions, but new information seems to be coming out each day. I will attempt to keep you posted as this situation develops.

The Huron School District is also working to support our community in other ways. Today, in cooperation with Representative Darrin Camilleri, the Huron School District donated 250 face masks, 193 boxes of gloves, and one box of hand sanitizing gel to our local healthcare systems. We hope that these donations will help support our health care workers in their fight against COVID-19. I know that this crisis can seem overwhelming and is difficult for all of us. Please know that I am thinking of you and your families during this time. I will continue communicating more information as the situation develops. Have a good day, and be safe out there.

Sincerely,

Donovan Rowe

Superintendent of Schools

Huron School District

Parent Letter Stay Home Stay Safe Executive Order 3-23-2020 (PDF)

Attention Huron Families,

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of you for your patience and cooperation during this turbulent time. Attempting to communicate during an ever-changing crisis presents us with many obstacles; nevertheless, our students, parents, and staff have pulled together in an amazing way.

I am sending this letter in order to give you some guidance pertaining to educational resources and enrichment opportunities that we are making available to help students keep their minds sharp during our school closure. In addition, I will also attempt to provide other information that may be useful to you.

Obviously, we are unable to replicate classroom instruction during a prolonged school closure, and online instruction does not provide students with a seamless option for learning. Instead, our teachers are preparing a list of resources and enrichment opportunities that will help support students as they attempt to stay engaged and maintain skills during this time. You should receive communication from your student’s classroom teacher(s) by the end of the day tomorrow, March 17 with information regarding these resources and enrichment opportunities. Teachers will be using school email addresses and other platforms, such as classroom dojo, Remind, & Google Classroom in order to communicate. Please be sure to check your usual means of communication in order to communicate with your student’s teacher(s).

We are coordinating efforts at the district level, but different grade levels will have different forms of communication. For example, High School and Jr. High School aged students may receive emails and communications directly from teachers, but elementary communications will be provided primarily between parents and teachers. Although these communications may look slightly

different, teachers and administrators are working hard to provide consistent and coordinated communications at each level. Consequently, you should expect to have weekly communication with your student’s teacher(s) during our closure. The end of the 2nd trimester was Friday, March 13, and report cards will be mailed home. You should expect to receive them at some point next week.

Some parents have medications on file in our school offices. These medications can be picked up Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18 from the office of your student’s school.

In addition, our Elementary schools are opening their buildings in order to provide parents with an opportunity to pick up classroom materials and items from their student’s locker. In order to limit the amount of individuals in the building at one time, we are asking that only one adult individual from each family come to the school, and we are posting times for parents to arrive based on their student’s grade levels. If you have students in multiple grade levels, we are asking that you choose one of the windows to pick up all necessary items for your child.

The schedule is as follows:

• Kindergarten – Grade 2: 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18, 2020
• Grade 3 – Grade 5: 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Thank you again for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Please contact your student’s school office if you have questions pertaining to report cards, resources, or enrichment opportunities.

Sincerely,
Donovan Rowe
Superintendent of Schools
Huron School District

COVID-19 Parent Letter 3-16-2020 Educational Resources and Enrichment Opportunities (PDF)

Dear Huron Families,

Starting on Tuesday, March 17, through Friday, April 3, the Huron School District will provide food service meals (breakfast and lunch) to ALL students in the District, 18 years of age and under, special education students 26 years and under, FREE of charge and regardless of students’ Free & Reduced Meal Status.

The Huron School District will be distributing meals from the High School Circle Drive via drive-thru pick-up service. One person may pick up meals for multiple students, and pick up is available two days per week using the following schedule.

Huron High School Site Pick-up:

• Tuesdays and Fridays: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Huron High School Circle Driveway (map shown below)

A week’s worth of USDA reimbursable meals will be available for each child, each week. There is no requirement to “sign-up” or “register” for any program in order to be eligible for free student meals. This is our school district’s first attempt of a meal delivery system at this scale. Every attempt will be made to feed ALL students who need a meal in our community. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process.

If you have questions pertaining to the Huron School District Food Service Meal Program, please call our Central Office line at 734-782-2441 or visit our website at huronschools.org.

Sincerely, Donovan Rowe
Superintendent of Schools
Huron School District

COVID-19 Food Service Continuity Letter (PDF)

Dear Huron Families,

Per the direction of Governor Whitmer, ALL SCHOOLS IN THE HURON SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED, STARTING MONDAY, MARCH 16. SCHOOLS IN THE HURON SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL REMAIN CLOSED THROUGH OUR SPRING RECESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, with classes scheduled to resume on Monday, April 13.

In the coming days, as we receive guidance from the governor and the Michigan Department of Education, I will be working with our staff on plans for continuation of various services, to the best of our ability. You can expect continued communications from the District in the days and weeks ahead.

I have met with our food service director, and we are coordinating our efforts with the Michigan Department of Education pertaining to food service.  

Going forward, we will continue to make decisions regarding school and school-related activities based on the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wayne County Health Department, and the Michigan Department of Education.    

As always, I thank you for your support of the Huron School District.  Together, we will continue to do our best to provide for safe and secure learning.  

Sincerely, 

Donovan Rowe
Superintendent of Schools
Huron School District

Attention Huron Families,

As you have probably heard, two (2) cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the State of Michigan. As a preventative measure, Governor Whitmer has also declared a “state of emergency.” This declaration includes the release of “Community Mitigation Strategies,” coming from the Governor’s office. In relation to this, the Governor has issued the following statement.

“Community mitigation strategies are designed to be implemented at the individual, organizational, and community levels. They apply to businesses, workplaces, schools, community organizations, health care institutions, and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and health profiles; everyone has an important role to play. These strategies provide essential protections to individuals at risk of severe illness and to health care and other critical infrastructure workforces.”

“’Michiganders have been preparing for COVID-19 for weeks, including by taking basic measures such as washing their hands often, covering their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when they are sick,’ said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. ‘However, Michigan must take further action to avoid a rapid increase of cases in the state. Community mitigation strategies are crucial to slowing the transmission of the virus in Michigan, particularly before a vaccine or treatment becomes available.’”

In addition, I met today with representatives from the Wayne County Department of Health, Wayne County RESA, and Wayne County Superintendents. The Health Department made it clear that, at this time, they are NOT recommending the closure of schools, nor the cancelation of school events. Although this situation continues to change rapidly, Health Department officials are continuing to monitor the situation and to work closely with the CDC.

Obviously, these announcements have raised many questions within our community related to how this may impact our schools.

The Huron School District is continuing to follow the recommendations and guidelines issued by the CDC and the Wayne County Department of Health. In addition, we will continue to monitor the “State of Emergency” and “Community Mitigation Strategies” issued by the Governor. The Huron School District has also increased cleaning and disinfecting efforts within the district classrooms and school buses. As always, student safety is our primary concern. I thank you for your support of our school district, especially during this time. As the situation changes, we will continue to provide you with information and updates.

Sincerely, Donovan Rowe

Donovan Rowe
Superintendent of Schools
Huron School District

Huron School District COVID-19 Update 3-12-202 (PDF)

Dear Huron Families,

Many of you have been following the news from around the world and within the United States regarding COVID-19 (formerly known as the Novel Coronavirus 2019), and these new reports have sparked questions and concerns around the country.  It is our goal to share the most current information we have regarding COVID-19 and to provide resources to help you stay informed.

Please know that The Huron School District is working closely with the Wayne County Health Department (www.waynecounty.com), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) so that we can stay current with the latest information regarding COVID-19.

While there is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19, experts advise that the best way to prevent infection and avoid being exposed is through everyday best practices:

• Remain at home if you are sick, avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve
• Frequent hand washing with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds
• When soap and water is not available, use alcohol based hand sanitizer to wash hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• If feeling ill, seek medical care immediately

As state, county, and local agencies begin to formulate plans to address the possibility of a potential widespread outbreak, our administrative team is also monitoring developments related to COVID-19.  We have been in contact with other educational agencies such as the Michigan Department of Education, Wayne County Department of Health, Wayne RESA, the Michigan Association of School Administrators, and others in developing protocols and procedures that will prepare our school district in the event of a widespread outbreak in our community. 

This communication is not meant to induce panic; it is simply meant to assure you that we are closely monitoring this serious topic, following the recommendations of the community health agencies, and serve as a reminder to continue to employ best practices for prevention. The Huron School District is continuing to follow our cleaning and disinfecting protocols within our school buildings.  As needed, we will continue to provide you with information and updates as they develop.

Sincerely,

Donovan Rowe

Superintendent of Schools

Huron School District

COVID-19 Letter to Huron Familes (PDF)