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Attention Huron Families:

In the first week of April, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order which closed all school buildings for the rest of the 20192020 school year.  This same executive order mandated that instruction take place using “remote learning” options for the remainder of the school year. Remote Learning is learning that happens outside of the traditional classroom because the student and teacher are separated by distance and/or time. Remote learning can be real-time or flexibility timed, and it may or may not involve technology. It cannot be assumed that every family or every student has access to the necessary devices and appropriate internet connection at their home.

In order to help parents and students navigate remote learning options during the school building closure, the Huron School District has developed the new Huron Learning Hub.  The Huron Learning Hub can be accessed through the Huron School District Website at huronschools.org, beginning on Monday, April 20, 2020.  Parents will be able to view weekly learning schedules based on the grade levels of their students, and parents will be able to contact teachers and link to instructional sites from this platform.  Students will find ways to connect with teachers, log-in to Google Classroom sites for instruction, and explore content and resources.

Teachers will be communicating with students and parents through our school managed student Google Suite Accounts as well as classroom text applications, such as remind.  Students without internet availability will be provided with “hard copy” packets upon request, which will allow students to work without the use of the internet.  As part of the remote learning efforts, all students are required to participate in at-home learning for the remainder of the school year. This will give students opportunities to earn credit and make steady progress in preparation for next school year.

The Huron School District has completed a “Continuity of Learning Plan” that outlines the District’s efforts to provide remote learning options to students.  The plan follows a model that is consistent with the Huron School District’s strategic plan, providing instruction that stresses rigor, relevance, and relationships for all students.  This plan has been submitted to Wayne County RESA for approval.  Once approved, this document will be posted on the Huron School District website.

We are aware that some homes are not equipped with internet connectivity and/or internet capable devices. The Huron School District is working to provide internet connectivity options for families without internet at home.  We have also developed options for parents to sign-out a device for student use at home, in households where a need is present.

I know that parents with Senior level students have questions related to graduation, prom, and other senior activities.  I want you to know that we are monitoring the Stay Home/Stay Safe guidelines carefully, and we are considering all available options in order to celebrate our Senior students. We will be publishing more information about our seniors in subsequent communications and when more information becomes available.

The remainder of this mailing contains information regarding grade level learning schedules, daily learning timelines, Google Suite log-in information, updating parent contact information in MiStar, low cost internet connectivity options, calendar updates, free internet access at Huron High School, emotional support hotline information, and student grading information.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we finalize our remote learning plans.  I am proud of our staff and community, and I am looking forward to our remote learning launch on April 20, 2020.  As always, feel free to contact us if you have questions.   Have a great day, and stay safe out there. 
Sincerely,

Donovan Rowe
Superintendent of Schools,
Huron School District.

Please view the following documents for more information:

Posted by admin  On Apr 15, 2020 at 7:54 PM
  

Attention Huron Families:

In the first week of April, Governor Whitmer signed an executive order which closed all school buildings for the rest of the 2019- 2020 school year. This same executive order mandated that instruction take place using “remote learning” options for the remainder of the school year. In addition, requirements have been established by the Michigan Department of Education, and schools must comply with these requirements in order to receive funding and continue services. As part of the remote learning efforts, all students are required to participate in at-home learning for the remainder of the school year. This will give students opportunities to earn credit and make steady progress in preparation for next school year.

As a result, the Huron School District has completed a “Continuity of Learning Plan” that outlines the District’s efforts to provide remote learning options to students. The plan follows a model that is consistent with the Huron School District’s strategic plan, providing instruction that stresses rigor, relevance, and relationships for all students. This plan is being submitted to Wayne County RESA for approval, in accordance with guidance from the Michigan Department of Education. Once approved, this document will be posted on the Huron School District website. 

In an effort to offer purposeful learning to all students, the Huron School District is launching a new web site called the Huron Learning Hub. This site is intended to help our students and parents as they transition to remote learning during the school closure. Parents will find information and resources on the site that will help keep them informed and equipped during this time. Students will find ways to connect with teachers, log-in to Google Classroom sites for instruction, and explore content and resources. We are working to develop the final details of the site now, and we will be launching our remote learning instructional program, along with the Huron Learning Hub site, on April 20, 2020. 

As teachers work collaboratively to develop and refine Google Classroom sites that will provide at-home learning opportunities, we are encouraging students to log-in to their student Gmail accounts and join their teachers’ Google Classroom(s) that have been developed and shared with students. The Google Classroom platform will be used as a primary resource for delivering remote learning within the district. More information pertaining to the student log-in process, Google Classroom, and The Huron Learning Hub will be mailed home later this week, prior to the April 20, 2020 remote learning launch. This mailing will contain information pertaining to remote learning weekly schedules, student grading, and the 2019-2020 remaining calendar. 

We are aware that some homes are not equipped with internet connectivity and/or internet capable devices. The Huron School District is working to provide internet connectivity options for families without internet at home. We are also developing options for parents to sign-out a device for student use at home, in households where a need is present. More information related to internet connectivity and devices will also be included in our upcoming mailing. 
In addition, the Huron School District is asking parents to update their email information in our MiStar web portal. Instructions can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-7h4sZXybj-Y-SR2u4MzJAuCCvvR7_xnu9ZAuk8m5SE/edit?usp=sharing to help parents through the updating process.

The Huron School District will continue to provide continuity of meal service on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the school closure period. Starting Tuesday, April 14th we will be doing trunk food pickup only. We are asking that recipients pop their trunks and allow food service workers to place the food in the trunk of the vehicles. Recipients will also see a reduced number of bags; however, the amount of food will be the same. Our delivery dates and times will be the same: Tuesdays & Fridays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, in the Huron High School circle drive. We will continue to distribute 3 days of food on Tuesdays and 4 days of food on Fridays. 

I know that questions still exist pertaining to the details of the learning plan and remote learning, and I hope that our upcoming mailing will help to answer those questions. I also know that parents with Senior level students have questions related to graduation, prom, and other senior activities. I want you to know that we are monitoring the Stay Home/Stay Safe guidelines carefully, and we are considering all available options in order to celebrate our Senior students. We will be publishing more information about our seniors in subsequent communications. 

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we finalize our remote learning plans. I am proud of our staff and community, and I am looking forward to our remote learning launch on April 20, 2020. As always, feel free to contact us if you have questions. Have a great day, and stay safe out there. 

Sincerely,

Donovan Rowe

Superintendent of Schools

Huron School District.

Parent Letter Continuity of Learning Plan 4-13-2020.pdf

Posted by admin  On Apr 13, 2020 at 4:38 PM
  

Attention Huron Families,

We have found ourselves in the midst of uncertain times, confronted with obstacles that we did not expect to encounter and uncertainty that weighs heavily on each of us.  Although these times can be frightening, and we are sometimes left grasping for answers, we are reminded that we are not alone in this.  We will work through this crisis together. 

This morning, Governor Whitmer held a press conference, and she announced that students in the State of Michigan will not be returning to physical classrooms for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.  This means that the students in the Huron School District will be continuing their learning through at-home learning opportunities for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. 

We are still awaiting information and guidance from the Michigan Department of Education pertaining to the details of the distance learning plan.  At this time, the Huron School District Team is working to provide a rigorous and relevant learning program for the students of the Huron School District.   Given that the regularly scheduled “spring break” runs from April 4-12, you can expect to receive relevant information and further instructions about the learning program on April 13, 2020.   

This type of education delivery will be different than what we are all used to.  Teachers and administrators are working hard to develop the best opportunities and learning activities that will help students build and retain skills during this time.  We are aware that we cannot replicate typical classroom experiences through distance learning opportunities.  Nonetheless, we are confident that our learning program will challenge students while offering them rigorous and relevant experiences.  

It is in times like these that I am reminded of the saying, “Only when it is dark enough, can we see the stars.”  The origin of this phrase has been credited to the British writer Thomas Carlyle in 1843, but the concept is still real enough today. 

Carlyle understood that, when times look dark, there are opportunities before us that we may not see otherwise.  In these times, many of us are staying home with our families, caring for loved ones, and looking for ways to keep our wits.  Today, another obstacle has presented itself to us, and this one pertains to the educational system.  Like many of these challenges, we will tackle this one together. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding in these difficult times.  I am thankful for our community and proud of the way that we have come together as a family.  Please keep your eyes open for more information coming in the near future pertaining to this issue.

Sincerely

Donovan Rowe

Superintendent of Schools

Huron School District

Parent Letter School Closure 4-2-2020 (PDF)

Posted by admin  On Apr 02, 2020 at 11:16 AM