Previously Communicated Information
-
The following information is current as of 2 pm on Friday, February 26, 2021.
Four of the five schools undergoing more extensive repairs and restorations are scheduled to open on Monday, March 1, for in-person classes. Some areas of the buildings may need to be isolated so repairs can continue, and Principals at those schools will continue sharing details about how they are adjusting so that ongoing repairs have minimal impact on campus operations. One elementary campus, Saginaw ES, is targeted to open on Wednesday, March 3.
As of Friday, a total of 23 of our 28 school buildings were open for in-person classes. Please see charts below for current building status and photo slideshows of some of the damage and repairs experienced across the district. Archived communication of campus damages and reopenings is available on the previously communicated information webpage.
Category 1
Buildings cleared to reopen in full on Tuesday, 2/23: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact.
The following information is current as of 1 pm on Thursday, February 25, 2021.
As of Thursday, a total of 23 of our 28 school buildings have reopened for in-person classes. Of the remaining campuses, five schools are undergoing more extensive repairs and restorations. Students at those five campuses will continue with remote learning until they can return to campus. Principals continue sharing details about building status and expected reopening timelines with their communities. Please note that planned reopening dates are dependent on all repairs and restorations passing required safety standards. At locations where the impacted area can be isolated without much interruption to instruction, schools are being opened while repairs continue. Please see charts below for current building status. Archived communication of campus damages and reopenings is available on the previously communicated information webpage.
Category 1
Buildings cleared to reopen in full on Tuesday, 2/23: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact.
The following information is current as of 5 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
Tuesday, 15 of our 28 school buildings were cleared to open for in-person classes and remote learners at those campuses returned to a regular remote instructional schedule. Today, we have four more schools that were able to reopen for in-person learning. By early afternoon on Wednesday, District crews had cleared three more buildings for reopening on Thursday. Additionally, parts for repairs at another campus arrived earlier than expected, which allowed crews to move up the estimated timeline for reopening for that school to Thursday as well.
Of the remaining campuses, one continues awaiting parts for repairs and/or testing of facility systems, and four schools are undergoing more extensive repairs and restorations. Students at those five campuses will continue with remote learning until they can return to campus. Principals continue sharing details about building status with their communities, including updates for when the building is expected to be cleared to open. Please note that planned reopening dates are dependent on all repairs and restorations passing required safety standards. At locations where the impacted area can be isolated without much interruption to instruction, schools are being opened while repairs continue. Please see charts below for current building status.
Category 1
Buildings cleared to reopen in full on Tuesday, 2/23: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact.
The following information is current as of 2 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
Tuesday, 15 of our 28 schools were cleared to open for in-person classes and remote learners at those campuses returned to a regular remote instructional schedule. Today, we have four more schools that were able to reopen for in-person learning. District crews have cleared three more buildings Wednesday and, on Thursday, these three additional campuses will reopen to in-person learners.
Of the remaining campuses, two continue awaiting parts for repairs and/or testing of facility systems, and four schools are undergoing more extensive repairs and restorations. Students at those six campuses will continue with remote learning until they can return to campus. Principals continue sharing details about building status with their communities, including updates for when the building is expected to be cleared to open. Please note that planned reopening dates are dependent on all repairs and restorations passing required safety standards. At locations where the impacted area can be isolated without much interruption to instruction, schools are being opened while repairs continue. Please see charts below for current building status.
Category 1
Buildings cleared to reopen in full on Tuesday, 2/23: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact.
The following information is current as of 11:30 am on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
Tuesday, 15 of our 28 schools were cleared to open for in-person classes and remote learners at those campuses returned to a regular remote instructional schedule. Today, we have four more schools that were able to reopen for in-person learning.
Of the remaining campuses, four continue awaiting parts for repairs and/or testing of facility systems, and five campuses are undergoing more extensive repairs and restorations. Students at those nine campuses will continue with remote learning until they can return to campus. Principals have shared additional plans with their communities today, including a tentative timeline of when the building is expected to be cleared to open. Please note that planned reopening dates are dependent on all repairs and restorations passing required safety standards. At locations where the impacted area can be isolated without much interruption to instruction, schools are being opened while repairs continue. Please see charts below for current building status.
Category 1
Buildings cleared to reopen in full on Tuesday, 2/23: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact.
The following information is current as of 3:30 pm on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.
Today, 15 of our 28 schools were cleared to open for in-person classes and remote learners at those campuses returned to a regular remote instructional schedule. At this time, four more schools have been cleared and are ready to reopen for in-person learning on Wednesday.
Of the remaining campuses, four continue awaiting parts for repairs and/or testing of facility systems, and five campuses are undergoing more extensive repairs and restorations. Students at those nine campuses will continue with remote learning until they can return to campus. Principals have shared additional plans with their communities today, including a tentative timeline of when the building is expected to be cleared to open. Please note that planned reopening dates are dependent on all repairs and restorations passing required safety standards. At locations where the impacted area can be isolated without much interruption to instruction, schools are being opened while repairs continue. Please see charts below for current building status.
Category 1
Buildings cleared to reopen in full on Tuesday, 2/23: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact.
The following information is current as of 6:00 pm on Monday, February 22, 2021.
District crews and contractors continue repairs, restoration, and systems testing in schools and facilities. Fifteen schools passed final fire system tests on Monday and will open for in-person classes on Tuesday, February 23. Schools with ongoing repairs will continue with remote learning. Principals communicated details via email with parents and staff. District and campus leaders will continue to assess the conditions of buildings daily, and will announce any changes as soon as possible each day. Below are each category and corresponding meaning. Additionally, campuses and their category listing are available, too.
Category 1
Strong possibility of reopening in full on Tuesday: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.Category 2
Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.Category 3
More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact and are less likely to physically reopen on Tuesday.
The following information is current as of 12:00 pm on Monday, February 22, 2021.
District staff continue repairs, restoration, and systems testing in schools and facilities today as students are learning remotely. Staff have worked tirelessly all last week and through the weekend to bring buildings back to safe operations and environments. Some facilities have more extensive damage than others, and the challenges of extended power outages, water supply issues, and receiving available parts to repair specific systems, such as fire suppression and HVAC, are impacting our progress. Work continues and this remains an active situation throughout the district.
It is the district's intention is to open as many schools as possible for in-person learning on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, where it is safe and operational to do so. At this time, there is a strong probability that some campuses may not be ready for students and staff by Tuesday or potentially beyond. There also is the possibility that other campuses may be able to safely open parts of buildings while repairs continue in other sections.
As of the time of this email, we have schools identified into three categories.
- Strong possibility of reopening in full on Tuesday: These are campuses in the final stages of testing facility systems including the fire alarms and safety systems.
- Awaiting parts for repairs and testing of facility systems: These are campuses where parts are needed before system testing can begin. This is a thorough, multi-step, time-intensive process that requires specialized outside contractors in some cases, which could cause a further delay in being able to open for in-person classes in either all or parts of these buildings.
- More extensive repairs and restoration: These are campuses that experienced the most significant impact and are less likely to physically reopen on Tuesday.
The district cannot communicate about in-person reopening plans for specific facilities until the last step in the fire testing is complete, as the building status could change based on the test results. This afternoon, your child’s school principal will send additional information detailing the specific impact on your child’s campus. Staff also will receive information about when they can access the building to prepare for students.
District leaders are working to share details as soon as possible so families recieve the information needed to make decisions for their children. However, please understand that the work continues throughout the day and information is likely to change as more campuses come online. Some information about building conditions may not be available until later today, but your principal will notify you no later than 6:00 pm with a definitive plan for your child’s school tomorrow.
Be assured that opening safely to standards that effectively support learning environments is the district's primary goal. Thank you for your continued support, offers to assist, patience with the situation, and flexibility through the challenges. In addition, district leaders are aware that many families have experienced significant damage in their own homes and are currently in the process of repair and restoration. Be assured that EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç is here to support children and families as everyone works to return to regular operations in their homes and community.
The following information is current as of 6:00 pm on Friday, February 19, 2021.
The decision has been made to transition all students to remote learning for Monday, February 22. It is understood that some families may have ongoing issues with internet connectivity; therefore, students will follow an asynchronous model to give them and teachers added flexibility throughout the school day. As a reminder, an asynchronous model means students do not have to be online at a specific time during the day. Students will be expected to engage with their lessons for each subject/class at some point throughout the day prior to 11:59 pm. Teachers will provide instructions and assignments through Microsoft Teams for elementary grades and Canvas for middle and high school.
Some families may have ongoing issues with internet connectivity, utilities, etc., that would not allow them to connect remotely. If internet connection cannot be achieved, the student or parent must email their teacher or principal.
At this time, students and teachers are only scheduled to be in remote learning for Monday, February 22, 2021. If conditions require one or more schools to remain in remote learning, that decision will not be made until Monday.
Additional details for next week:
- Indoor events scheduled in an EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç facility will be rescheduled for after Monday. Away games/activities can continue as long as the facility can support it.
- Outdoor events will be handled case-by-case through Monday. Please watch for updates from coaches, sponsors, and/or Athletics and Fine Arts.
- Curbside meals will be available on Monday at the six remote feeding locations: Dozier, Gililland, or Saginaw elementary schools; Highland, Marine Creek, or Wayside middle schools. Meals are available to any EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç student and can be picked up between 9:00-11:00 am.
District leaders will make decisions for EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç students and staff regarding in-person and remote learning next week on a day-by-day, school-by-school basis. District leaders sincerely desire to resume in-person classes on Tuesday. The district will communicate with staff and families as early as possible and will continue to provide updates throughout the weekend.
Published Thursday, February 18, 2021
At this time, all students and staff will resume in-person and remote learning beginning Monday, February 22. In any case where there continues to be unresolved building issues due to the winter weather and frozen pipes, district leaders will consider transitioning students and staff of the affected campus to remote learning. This decision will be made case by case and school by school, and communication will be sent as soon as possible to give teachers and families time to prepare.The EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç Operations, Maintenance, and Technology personnel have worked around the clock through this week's winter weather to prevent or at least minimize the impact on district buildings and systems. Furthermore, district custodial teams are cleaning areas that have been impacted. In addition, EMS ÀÏ˾»ú¸£ÀûÉç has contracted with professional restoration experts to conduct deep restoration and cleaning of all affected areas, and are following all procedures to ensure water, air, and materials quality meet required environmental standards.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding of the fluidity of this situation. Please continue to take care of the personal needs of yourself and your family, and watch for additional information this week and weekend as leaders continue to assess buildings and plans.