Grand Blanc Announces Plan to Bring Students Back to School
Yesterday, I was very happy to hear that Grand Blanc Community Schools had a plan in place to bring students back for in school face to face learning. After I read the email that was sent to parents, I quickly realized that middle and high school students won't be part of this return phase. My kid wasn't too happy about this especially because this is his first year in high school.
Superintendent Clarence Garner had this to say to ABC12 during a Zoom interview:
Are we excited to at least begin this and get these kids back in what we feel is a safe manner, a methodical approach? Absolutely! That’s what our schools are for.
It’s been one full week of classes for Grand Blanc Community Schools. For teachers and administrators, walking the halls right now still seems unnatural. They’re quiet. We’re used to the noise of the kids, and the bustling of the back and forth, and the sound of their shoes on the hallway floors, so it’s very kind of eerie right now of course without having the kids there.
Garner also told ABC 12 that the school board voted unanimously to bring students back to the classroom during Monday's meeting.
According to an email that I received on Tuesday, this is how the tentative plan looks.
- SEPTEMBER 28: SELECT SPECIAL EDUCATION ● Pre-identified self-contained classes of Special Education students return F2F (in a hybrid schedule) Some Special Education/diagnostic services would be allowed (by appt.) such as speech and social work
- OCTOBER 5: YOUNG 5S/KINDERGARTEN ● Remote Young 5/Kindergarten students may return F2F for 2 to 3 full days/week with bussing and meals
- OCTOBER 12: 1 ST & 2 ND GRADES ● Remote 1st/2nd grade students added F2F (hybrid) 2 to 3 days per week
- OCTOBER 19: SELECT GBHS CTE CLASSES ● Some Career & Technical Education (CTE Program) classes would return 2 to 3 days/week (hands-on essential)
- OCTOBER 26: 3 RD , 4 TH , & 5 TH GRADES ● Remote 3rd, 4th & 5th-grade students are added F2F (hybrid) 2 to 3 days per week
This is a hybrid model with 2 to 3 days of face-to-face learning per week in most cases. I don't understand why they can't just do five full days. What's the difference if they go three days or they go five? I guess they have to take things slowly but I say get those kids in there and get em' learning.