Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to see K-12 schools resume in-person learning in the not too distant future.
The governor “strongly encouraged” schools to offer an option for in-person instruction “no later than March 1″ while speaking during a virtual afternoon press conference Friday, Jan. 8. She said the goal is for every student to have the option of face-to-face learning, especially for younger children.
In-person learning won’t be required, but Whitmer said she’d like it to be offered by March 1, if not sooner.
“Schools can establish a low risk of transmission by ensuring everyone wears a mask and adopting careful infection prevention protocols,” Whitmer said.
Educators are among the groups eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the next phase, beginning Monday, Jan. 11. However, questions remain regarding how and when those individuals will get their shots with many details that still need to be worked out.
Robert McCann, executive director for the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, said he agrees in-person learning is the best option for students, but to be successful will require broad access to the COVID-19 vaccine for school employees and clear guidance on when vaccinated employees can return to work.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, schools have been committed to providing the best, and safest, possible education for students, based on the guidance from medical experts and Governor Whitmer,” McCann said.
“The governor’s announcement today is welcomed, but we will now need the support of our health officials to provide vaccines and guidance to ensure that teachers and students can return to classrooms safely and successfully.”
Related: For Michiganders newly eligible for vaccine, excitement is high but details are few
Earlier this week, Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said the district hopes to open its learning centers by mid-January, and return to face-to-face learning by early February at the start of the third quarter, according to a post on the district’s website.
“Please be prepared to complete your online or in-person learning preference for the third quarter next week,” Vitti wrote.
Some districts, like Kalamazoo Public Schools and Ann Arbor Public Schools, have remained in virtual mode since the start of the pandemic.
KPS has planned to remain virtual only until March 12, which is the end of the second trimester, while AAPS has set COVID-19 metrics its communities must meet before a return to in-person learning.
Related: ‘Political pressure’ won’t drive Ann Arbor schools to return to classroom, board says
Others public school districts, like those in Jackson County, have offered a choice between in-person and remote classes for most of the academic year.
The health department initially forced high schools and colleges to move to virtual instruction on Nov. 15, while leaving the decision up to the individual districts for elementary and middle schools. At that time, the state was averaging 6,288 new cases per day and a positive test rate of 13%. There were also 3,241 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
As of Thursday, Jan. 7, Michigan was reporting 3,077 cases per day with a positive test rate of 9.7% and 2,578 such patients in hospitals. Such trends are generally declining, though they remain higher than they were in early November.
Schools were allowed to resume in-person learning Monday, Jan. 4, following the winter holidays. The health department announced the reopening of schools and other facilities on Dec. 18 in response to improving trends in new COVID-19 cases, positive test rates and hospitalizations.
Universities and colleges were also given the green light to have their students return to campus following holiday break, though Whitmer said she asked them to delay move-in until Jan. 16 and in-person learning until Jan. 19, and “most have indicated they will push back their calendars,” she said.
Read more on MLive:
Mother of special education student: ‘The dream of sending him to school is still there’
No in-person classes? No problem. This Michigan school has a personal solution
Friday, Jan. 8, coronavirus data by county: Numbers going up, but still below pre-holiday levels
What are ‘probable’ coronavirus cases and why are they still increasing in Michigan?
These 100 Michigan schools will start the year with remote learning