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COVID-19 Closure Info » COVID-19 District Communications

COVID-19 District Communications

Dear South Redford Community,

I am proud of our South Redford families and employees and their commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment for our students and staff members. This is not easy work and involves sifting through many details, constantly changing parameters, and many unknowns. I am pleased to share that our Work Groups have completed their work and we are in the process of finalizing our Return to School Roadmap plans for next year.  Next Monday, August 10, 2020, I will present our Preparedness Plan to the Board of Education.  Once approved by the Board it will be posted on our website and submitted to the State of Michigan. 

 

Next week we will hold informational Town Hall sessions to provide information and allow for questions.  Please watch for additional emails with dates and times. Following the Town Hall meetings, parents will be required to choose one of the models of learning for their child(ren). Tomorrow you will receive updated information regarding the learning options for the upcoming school year, as well as a final survey to guide our final planning. Please be sure to take the time to complete this important survey.  


Go Eagles!

Brian Galdes

Dear South Redford Community,

 

Thank you for participating in the recent surveys you have received from the South Redford School District. We understand the time commitment it takes to complete the surveys, but the information is essential to our planning.

 

In addition to the information we gather from you through these surveys, the District has created multiple Work Groups collaborating to manage the details of our Return to School Preparedness Plan.  Our Work Groups are composed of administrators, teachers, and clerical staff.  They also include members from transportation, food services, and custodial/maintenance.  The total number of staff members in our Work Groups exceeds ninety (90).  

 

Please be assured that all of your concerns are being taken seriously and will be addressed.  Keeping in mind that there is no perfect solution to these difficult issues, our number one priority is to keep students and staff safe, while providing a solid education for students. 

 

TIMELINE

The South Redford Work Groups will continue to develop the Return to School Preparedness Plan between now and the end of July, and the District will continue to inform you of updates.  During the first week of August, details of the available models of learning (onsite, remote, or SOAR) will be shared with parents and the community.  We will hold informational Town Hall sessions to provide information and allow for questions.  During the second week of August we will ask parents to choose one of the models of learning for their child(ren).

 

FEEDBACK FROM SURVEY

CONCERN - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

  • The District is working in conjunction with the Wayne County Regional Education Services Agency to purchase all PPE for staff and students districtwide.

  • PPE for all staff and students will be required and enforced in accordance with the Governor’s plan.

  • Restrictions will be in place for visitors to schools.

CONCERN - Cleaning and disinfecting of classrooms and schools:

  • A robust and thorough plan for regular and daily cleaning and disinfecting will be in place.

  • The District will be employing technicians certified in disinfecting and sanitation. 

  • Disinfection foggers have been purchased and will allow us to disinfect entire buildings nightly.

  • Hand sanitation stations have been purchased and will be distributed throughout each building.

  • The District will be increasing custodial staff to ensure regular, as well as enhanced, cleaning.

 

CONCERN - Incomplete information regarding Learning Model Choices:

  • We are committed to transparency, clear timelines, and weekly communication.

  • As details become finalized, Webinars, emails, Class DOJO and phone communications will be utilized to share information about each learning model.

  • The district is committed to delivering quality instruction regardless of choice.

  • Canvas, a Learning Management System (LMS), has been purchased.  This product is a “one-stop-shop” as it will house all curriculum technology tools, calendar, grading information, etc. and will ensure seamless quality instruction whether done on-line or in school.

  • South Redford staff has been working hard all summer to ensure quality education regardless of the learning model choice.

 

Other concerns were expressed in the survey (such as class size, social distancing specifics, student movement throughout the building, etc.) which we are unable to adequately address at this time. This is due to lack of information from the State, the uncertainty of parent placement choice, as well as ongoing discussions by our South Redford Work Groups. All decisions made in these areas will be promptly shared with you. 

 

I am proud of our South Redford families and employees and their commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment for our students and staff members. This is not easy work and involves sifting through many details, constantly changing parameters, and many unknowns. I am confident that with input from parents, combined with the expertise, thoughtfulness, and perseverance of our staff we will be able to meet the needs of our South Redford families during these difficult and challenging times.

 

Keeping in mind the new information this letter provides, we ask that you again complete the attached survey to help guide our planning.

 

We thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and share your thoughts.  Your input is invaluable to our success in educating your child.

 

Go Eagles!

 

Brian Galdes 

 

PARENT SURVEY 7/23/20

As we refine our plans for the fall, please help us by sharing your reentry preferences.  As our plans develop, they will be communicated and reflected in our weekly survey. We continue to monitor the status of the Coronavirus, and the requirements from the Michigan Department of Education and the Governor's office. At this point, face-to-face instruction, with restrictions and safety protocols in place, is allowed.  

 

This survey has separate sections for elementary, middle, and high school.  Please fill out the section, or sections, depending on where your children will attend school in the fall.

 

South Redford is dedicated to providing students with high-quality, robust educational experiences, whether students are attending school fully remotely, fully onsite, or a blend.  In addition, our plans will allow the district to shift seamlessly between onsite and remote learning as needed.  Our goal is to create a plan that best addresses your needs.

 

The three learning models South Redford will offer are:

1. 5-day in-school option (PK-12), onsite with South Redford teachers and curriculum using safety measures and distancing practices.

2. 100% remote option (PK-12), with South Redford teachers and curriculum, and regularly scheduled remote check-ins and sessions with teachers.

3. SOAR blended online program (K-12), with learning coaches and online curriculum (instruction online, students meet onsite, with coaches, on an individual basis).

Thank you for your continued commitment to South Redford.  We will continue to update you as we work to develop safe, high-quality educational options for the 2020-2021 school year.

Click below to complete the survey:

South Redford Reentry Options

Dear South Redford Families,

Last week, Governor Whitmer released the Return to School Roadmap, outlining details for opening schools in the fall.  Based on these guidelines, it’s clear there will be a variety of requirements for our district to implement, and we will be planning all throughout the summer to ensure a safe return to school for students and staff.

 

Safety and High-Quality Instruction

The Governor has asked us to prepare three plans—one for full remote home learning; one with strict health and safety restrictions; and one for regular school with minimal health and safety restrictions. We have been preparing these plans and have formed work groups to address the details for each plan.  These groups are actively addressing the specifics for each plan, as well as the questions raised in the last survey. To that end, you can expect updates regarding our plan as it evolves.

Our first priority is the health and safety of our students, and we remain committed to safety in all planning considerations. South Redford is dedicated to providing students with high-quality, robust educational experiences, whether they are attending school remotely, fully onsite, or a blend.  In addition, our plans will allow the district to shift seamlessly between onsite and remote learning as needed. 

 

Virtual Learning Option for the 2020-2021 School Year - Grades K-12 

South Redford will offer a full year, 100% virtual learning option as a choice for families.  Registration will begin soon.

 

We Need Your Input

South Redford’s goal is to create a plan that best addresses the needs of our families, and we need your input to do so.  We understand that your choices may evolve as new information arises. Please look for our survey every 1-2 weeks, which will enable us to capture your most current needs.  Your input is very valuable.  It is important that you continue to complete each survey, even if the information stays the same.  

Click here for parent survey

We are excited to welcome students back under the safety rules outlined by the state. Until then, we encourage you to look for learning opportunities for your child throughout the summer to reduce learning loss. This year, more than ever, engaging children in learning activities is critical to their continued academic growth and success.

Thank you for your continued commitment to your child’s education through your partnership with the South Redford School District as we work to develop safe, high-quality educational options for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

Go Eagles!

Brian Galdes

Dear South Redford Families: 

2020-2021 School Year

The district continues to actively plan for the 2020-2021 school year, and our COVID-19 safety response plan will allow the district to shift seamlessly between onsite and remote learning as needed. 


Virtual Learning Option for the 2020-2021 School Year - Grades K-12 

South Redford will offer a full year, 100% virtual learning option as a choice for families.  We are finalizing the details for this option and more information will be provided shortly.


Reminder:

  • 1:1 Chromebook Program: All students will be provided with a Chromebook to ensure there is a smooth continuity of learning between school and home and to support their education both on- and off-site 


In addition, we are preparing for three possible reentry scenarios that all provide pathways of learning that are flexible and robust.

  • Full-time onsite instruction - students would return to school full time with a typical schedule.

  • Blended instruction - students would spend 50% of their time onsite and 50% learning remotely. 

  • 100% Remote Learning - students would engage in classes remotely.


Feedback

As we refine our plans for the fall, please help us by sharing your reentry preference using this survey.  We understand this may change as we get closer to the start of school, and we will send the survey again in July and August.


We want you to know that our decisions will always place your child's education, health, and well-being above all else. You will continue to receive updates as we move through this process, so please check your email regularly.

 

Please continue to practice healthy habits. Be safe and Go Eagles!

 

Brian Galdes

Superintendent of Schools

(313) 690-8859 cell phone