Return to School Communication 7.30.20
Dear Hopkins Public Schools Families:
On July 21, 2020, You were sent a communication outlining the district’s intended plan for returning to school next month. You were asked to make a selection on the instructional model you would like for your child(ren) for the first trimester. With over 1,000 responses so far, the results indicate that approximately 90% of our students would like to return to face-to-face instruction. We thank you for your overwhelming support for our schools. However, these numbers will not allow for the proper social distancing that would allow us to keep our students, staff and community safe during this pandemic.
In the previous communication, we indicated that we may need to modify our plans if this were the case. See the excerpt from the July 21 communication below.
If the number of students selecting the remote instruction model does not allow for a significant reduction in class sizes to create optimal social distancing for in-person instruction, we will likely need to make modifications to this plan.
Based on guidelines received from the Allegan County Health Department (attached) this week regarding the need to social distance, we have determined that the best course of action for our district is to implement an A/B Cohort schedule for the first trimester. This plan will divide our students into two cohorts with members of the same household being in the same cohort. These cohorts will be determined next week.
Below are some of the main reasons this recommendation was made by the steering committee.
- This will allow the greatest number of students to experience face-to-face instruction in the safest way possible according to the Health Department and the CDC.
- The students who are face-to-face will experience a much more “normal” day of instruction as more movement is possible while maintaining the recommended spacing.
- In the case of positive or pending COVID tests, students who are six feet away are much less likely to have to experience quarantine and time off of school according to the Health Department guidelines.
A summary of how the plan looks is shown in the chart below.
| Cohort | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| A (A-L) | In-Person Instruction | Remote Instruction | Remote Instruction | In-Person Instruction | Remote Instruction |
| B (M-Z) | Remote Instruction | In-Person Instruction | Remote Instruction | Remote Instruction | In-Person Instruction |
The A-L and M-Z cohort is a close approximation of how the students will be grouped. Adjustments may be needed to balance cohorts. If you need individual considerations (such as children with different last names), you will need to contact the building principal using this form.
Remote and virtual learning options remain available.
- Grades K-5 – A/B Cohort or 100% virtual with the Virtual Academy of Allegan County (VAAC)
- Grades 6-12 – A/B Cohort or 100% Hopkins Remote or the Virtual Academy of Allegan County (VAAC)
The VAAC will be having a webinar this evening (July 30) at 7:00 p.m. Here is the link: https://bit.ly/3jVxGgs.
We realize that you initially made a decision based on a four-day, in-person learning model being available. Therefore, if you need to make a change, please access the following form. If you do not fill out the form again, we will assume your decision has not changed.
This decision was made with safety at the forefront. We are committed to offering the safest possible learning environment to our students, staff and community. This pandemic has been a fluid situation that has presented us with many changes. We hope that by the second trimester we will be back to our traditional teaching and learning environment, but we recognize that the recommendations from the CDC and our local health department may require ongoing changes to our plan.
Although times have changed, our commitment to our students and community has not. Our staff is missing our kids and are looking forward to welcoming them back. We will continue to keep our students physically and emotionally safe while delivering a quality education. Our teachers, administrators, and support staff are dedicated to adapting to the new look of public education.
Attached Files
Published: July 30, 2020