Decision scheduled for Aug. 10
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education spent four hours in a special study session thoroughly discussing each of the three possible options for reopening schools this year.
A final decision is scheduled to be made during the board’s Henry Ford College Board of Education virtual meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 10, to meet the state’s Aug. 17 approval deadline.
As required by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Return to School Roadmap unveiled June 30, the board’s approved plan will be sent to Wayne County RESA and then to the Michigan Department of Education. Whitmer’s roadmap provided a framework for the work done by the Dearborn Reopening Committee, which is composed of 80 staff, students and parents.
The committee held six virtual meetings and held several additional sub-committee meetings working to develop a comprehensive recommendation on how best to start the upcoming school year.
Dearborn Federation of Teachers President Jane Mazza, Association of Dearborn Schools Administrators President David Higgins and Executive Director of Staff and Student Services Maysam Alie-Bazzi co-chaired the committee.
On Oct. 1, the committee will revisit the plan selected.
The first recommended option was to begin the school year fully online for all students with face-to-face learning labs available for social-emotional and academic assistance. Details on the scheduling, staffing, and availability of Learning Labs will be determined if the board approves this option. If the board were to approve this option, the district would only be making a commitment for online learning until Oct. 1.
Depending on several factors, including: local and state health conditions throughout August and September, CDC guidelines, Wayne County Health Department recommendations, and the current orders from the state of Michigan, the district would re-evaluate the plan to determine the feasibility of changing the mode of instruction — full in-person, online, or a blended model that combines both.
Recommended option 2 was to begin the school year blended (partial online and partial in-person) for elementary students and 100 percent online for secondary students with learning labs available for social-emotional and academic assistance available to middle and high school students.
The third recommended option was to begin the school year blended (partial online and partial in-person) for elementary and secondary students. Given the current state requirements for schools to hold in-person instruction during Phase 4 of the state’s plan, traditional transportation services may be an issue for this option.
Reopening plans can still change depending the local COVID-19 pandemic or because of new executive orders issued by Whitmer.
Under phases 1, 2, or 3, the district would have to implement full online instruction as ordered by Whitmer. If the state is in phases 4, 5 or 6, the district is allowed to implement in-person instruction but would still need to follow government requirements and recommendations.
“Something that we will ensure that we do is in the very beginning of the year we’re going to make sure that with the families in collaboration with families and students to review their current IEPs or 504 plans and make sure that we’re reflecting the child’s evolving needs,” DPS Director of Special Education Mike Esseily said.
“Many of our students — you know, all of our students haven’t had face-to-face instruction really since March. So, we’re going to have to make sure that we look at each individual student, see exactly what they need no matter what the mode of learning may be and ensure that we accommodate properly for their students.”
During the meeting, it was stated that the learning management system recommended by the technology committee was Schoologoly. The district will ensure students have access to technology and Internet, but also provide paper and pencil to those who need it or request it.
In terms of testing, the NWEA is required by the state for kindergarten to third grade and the district will wait until the second semester of the school year for fourth- to eighth-grade NWEA testing.
The SAT is still scheduled to take place in the fall.
Another point mentioned during the meeting was teaching offering office hours for students in need, which are part of the plans. Also, a teacher will reach out to parents if a student’s grade falls below a C.
To watch the full study session go to www.youtube.com/user/dpscommdept.
DPS also is providing a new online-only learning option that is being offered to families for the coming school year. Parents would need to enroll in this program and commit to having students learn entirely only for the whole year, a district press release said.
“Our goal is to serve the needs of students and families who may elect the 100 percent virtual option this school year because they do not want their children to return to the school setting this year for any number of reasons,” DPS Executive Director of Student Achievement Jill Chochol said at the meeting.
Students who live within the DPS boundaries and enroll in the DPS Virtual Learning Program will be taught by district staff using district curriculum.
“We realize some of our parents are extremely concerned about COVID-19, especially if they have children or other family members with other underlying health issues,” Supt. Glenn Maleyko said in a DPS press release. “This provides an option for parents who know they want their children learning online for at least this school year.
“Those students will have access to our same great Dearborn teaching staff and the same curriculums used across the district. That consistency will help students succeed while learning from home and if they opt to return to in-building learning the following year.”
DPS parents who want virtual learning for their child need to sign up their student for this option. The registration deadline is Aug. 17 so staffing arrangements can be made. Classes will start Aug. 31, along with the rest of DPS.
Signup information can be obtained from Students Services at 313-827-3005, and parents can find out more information about the program by going to https://vlp.dearbornschools.org/.
Participating in the Virtual Learning Program is a year-long commitment for Dearborn students. Students may choose to return to their home school at the start of the 2021-22 school year.
If a student wishes to return to in-building learning at the semester break this winter, the district will find a school that is not at enrollment capacity. This might not be the student’s home school. If the student is not placed at their home school, they will return to their home building at the beginning of the next school year.
Virtual learning students would still be eligible to participate in other district programs including sports and extracurricular activities, if the child meets all other requirements.
Parents considering the online program should weigh whether committing to this option for the full year is a good match for them and their child. Virtual learning is personalized, but requires students to be self-motivated to complete tasks with less supervision. Parents must be willing and able to help keep their child focused, the press release said.
It also requires students who can self-advocate and reach out to teachers if they have questions or if issues arise. Students will be expected to participate in live lessons and adhere to scheduled classwork and assignments.
Middle and high school students will be expected to spend approximately five to eight hours a week on each class for a total of 30 or more hours per week. Elementary students will be expected to work 20 to 30 hours a week on school work.
“Dearborn Public Schools always works to provide our students with personalized options that meet their individual needs,” Maleyko said. “While learning entirely online is not a good fit for many students and families, we want to provide the Virtual Learning Program for those students who would benefit from it.”
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])