In our last SSC meeting (2020-10-21), I wanted to make sure we had clear actionable items to walk away with so we could help bring our community together and moving forward. From that meeting, I took away a few questions that people wanted clear and solid answers for. I would like to thank Robert for going above and beyond to assemble so much of this documentation. He and I worked together to get some answers below.
To understand the rules that we follow, scroll to the bottom of this page to see a list of documents that will help give you that information.
Why was hybrid chosen?
There are several reasons that hybrid was chosen, and some very good reasons why it happened so quickly after s school started. When the plan for this year was created this summer, there were two different sets of instructions that the school needed to follow, and the two sets of rules had areas where they conflicted. Our head of school needed to create plans to account for what would happen if we were in Stage 4, or if we were in Stage 5. On August 20th, the rules solidified into a single set for us to follow.
Among the rules that had been solidified, the board is required to have a specific bit of our time in each board meeting to allow parents to discuss the COVID plans for the school. It also indicates that the board must have a plan that will be reviewed by GVSU, and the board every month to indicate what the school plan will be. When GVSU reviewed our plan, they noticed that we had missed an important piece in the rules that came about on August 20th. For every student that we have enrolled, whether virtual or in-person, they must have a space in the school, in case that student needs to come into the school.
Considering that the weather is getting worse, and soon we will not be able to hold so many classes outdoors, the school doesn’t physically have space for 127 students to be present. We also have to be very serious about the toll this work load of double the number of pods had on our staff. If we lose even a single teacher, our plan becomes exponentially more difficult to maintain
What options have been considered?
This is a long list, so I created a page based on the information our Head of School assembled as requested in our October Board Meeting.
https://greenspiressc.wordpress.com/options-and-ideas-that-were-considered
What is a clear list of items that will be required to go back 5 days?
According to the COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan approved by our board of education, it lists certain standards that must be met for the different phases. Details of Phase 4 and Phase 5 are listed below…
Phase 4 – During this phase, the number of new cases and deaths has fallen for a period of time, but overall case levels are still high. Schools will be prepared with response activities continuing to maintain ongoing surveillance and execution of active mitigation measures. Schools should be prepared to implement social distancing measures. Short-term dismissals and suspension of extracurricular activities should be expected for cleaning and contact tracing purposes. Schools must consider the judgement of the local health department for the sub-region of concern.
Phase 5 – During this phase, new cases and deaths continue to decrease for an additional period of time. At this point, the number of active cases has reached a point where infection from other members of the community is less common. School preparedness and response activities around surveillance and active mitigation continue from Phase 4 with loosening of required safety protocols. Schools should remain prepared to implement social distancing measures. Short-term dismissals and suspensions of extracurricular activities remain possible for cleaning and contact tracing purposes. Schools must consider the judgement of the local health department for the sub-region of concern.
Unfortunately, as of Wednesday, October 14th, the number of cases statewide has increased.
The number of cases regionally has increased.
The number of cases countywide has increased.
Over the past three weeks, the scale used to measure the amount of cases in Grand Traverse County has increased from 1.9 to 2.6 to 3.2.
On Thursday, October 15th, more than seven months after Michigan’s first COVID-19 confirmed case, the state set a record for a one-day increase in new cases with 2,030 cases. The previous high was on April 3rd with 1,953.
If cases begin to decline again for a period of time, we will reevaluate opening for five day per week instruction. Right now, with the increase in cases, we are not able to safely relax our safety protocols. As soon as we are able to resume normal programming, we will. The COVID-19 Extended Learning Plan is renewed each month and allows for schools to adjust to the changing conditions of the pandemic.
Our Head of School recently sent out an email with a lot of great information including the details of the above question. https://greenspiressc.wordpress.com/the-greenspire-school-update-10-19-20/
What ideas are currently being considered?
I am listing the new ideas I have heard in our conversations, from the board, as well as the S.S.C. meeting.
- AM/PM Suggestion
- Plastic Barriers
- How our current system can work better for all of us.
Documents below are to read so you know the rules/policies/strong recommendations/recommendations we need to follow.
The Michigan Legislature Rules on Return to School:
http://legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/billanalysis/House/pdf/2019-HLA-5911-99BAABCC.pdf
The Greenspire School Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan
https://5f9fa05d-30a1-4902-a67f-e55da542905d.filesusr.com/ugd/f7b4b8_0a44bcf1a8394cd8b5782d3e1cc36def.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1xpoCPxcL-KOAl-eZCj2OF2AKmDooqnMnj-9mnfQ4butugCUHvNprM4Qs
The Greenspire School COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan
https://5f9fa05d-30a1-4902-a67f-e55da542905d.filesusr.com/ugd/f7b4b8_0a2f922b61a44b0aaa78e5d5b7cf6e47.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1xiTsYad3riGG7oE1-wSC_KO0ZEcJVMAkRdWYbvCzCAxGohZ8pkbZV_dk
Review Weekly 2-Way Interaction Rates for The Greenspire School
https://5f9fa05d-30a1-4902-a67f-e55da542905d.filesusr.com/ugd/f7b4b8_c75e8faa1d2449ab87cddf565b3532e5.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1hLJ6WSlKOEnL_ZcFTQziqvnUjUxkQ6bI15TAe2dks-mr5rNzrMvRjPG0
And, if you are up for a bit more light reading:
Here are our board policies
https://5f9fa05d-30a1-4902-a67f-e55da542905d.filesusr.com/ugd/f7b4b8_a14eac223a0d486f944afcd58c1091de.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0irM7ugmQlHJS5fVzydtdH5c8IK7XrgTO4CqOpOnzFpWe5yiSXQP3u1zc
As well as our Emergency Operations Plan
https://5f9fa05d-30a1-4902-a67f-e55da542905d.filesusr.com/ugd/f7b4b8_f1fd821e2d93412bbc685cb218ed1fcc.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3FWw6xdGTX02aFIqJkgwUBrCpF8VzthSabTdcP7PKupMX43OcEBLWTMFw
Greenspire Student Support Council (SSC) 