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We hope you enjoy this abbreviated version of the

Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth Since 1906

Vol. 115 No. 19 - In our 115th year!

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

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FSD back to remote learning for three weeks

  Apparently, Frankenmuth School District Superintendent Adele Martin was a little ahead of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer with school closures.

  Martin sent out a letter to the FSD families and community on Friday, November 13, sharing school officials were extending the school building closure for in-person instruction until, Monday, November 30.

  Sunday evening, Whitmer announced that starting Monday, November 16 and lasting until Tuesday, December 8, all public-school learning will take place remotely.

  “With situations changing so quickly, I have found myself saying ‘right now’ more often than I ever have before. So, although we have been enthusiastically preparing for the in-person return to school this week, right now, given what we are seeing in our district and our region, such action is unadvisable,” Martin said.

  Sunday’s news from Lansing will not affect much of what was already in place through November 30 . . . it just extends it a week, although it has impacted the FHS varsity football team, now 9-0, and their quest for a state title.

  “I believe that the way it stands right now, Sunday’s announcement doesn’t affect our academic plans that were put into place last Friday. Our students and staff are familiar with remote learning. While not ideal, tighter schedules, higher expectations and better understanding of remote protocols have ensured that learning continues, Martin pointed out.

  "Don’t get me wrong, remote learning doesn’t replace face-to-face learning both academically and emotionally, but our staff continues to be reflective of their practices so that students continue to grow,” Martin added. I have observed some amazing online lessons where students are practicing their reading skills, performing experiments and accessing individual support.”

  During school closure, and under direction from the Saginaw County Health Department, FSD administrators will continue to report positive cases of students and staff who are actively associated with a school building or school event. They will continue to update the COVID-19 dashboard on the FSD website for such cases.

  “We will soon provide families with a link so that you can self-report case and quarantine information after hours; once we receive that information, we will contact parents privately to gather more information and help guide next steps,” Martin said.

  Martin shared out details from her memo:

  Little Eagles Daycare will remain open;

  List Elementary Preschool will be open;

  Counseling staff, teachers and administrators are available each day to assist with needs that may arise. Martin urges parents to reach out to them and they will continue to make efforts to reach out to ensure continued contact with each student;

  FSD food service will provide breakfast and hot meals daily between 11am and 2pm at the FHS concessions stand. If those times do not work, arrangement can be made with FSD Food Service Director Cindy Hegenauer at 989-652-9955 or chegenauer@fmuthschools.com.

  “We are also making preparations for the long Thanksgiving weekend and will have meal boxes available prior to that time,” Martin said.

  Martin and staff are already preparing for the "day after” interpretations from the government, interpretations that can cause them to address new wrinkles in their plans and make the necessary adjustments.

  Frankenmuth football was the last fall sport still in action; volleyball and swimming and diving are still going, however, the Eagles do not field teams in those two sports. Girls’ basketball did begin practice last week and boys’ basketball was to begin Monday.

  "For our middle and high schoolers, the challenge is the suspension of activities, including athletics. These events have provided small bits of ‘normal’ in their very strict daily schedules. I really had hoped that we would be able to keep these outside activities going – they support the mental health of our students,” Martin concluded.

  St. Lorenz Lutheran School was also slightly affected by Sunday evening’s news.

  “We plan on continuing in-person learning at the moment knowing that this is all fluid and can change to virtual only at any time. We continue to monitor our student body and staff during this period of time,” Swartz said.

  Swartz has implemented the following:

  No athletic events through December 8 starting today (November 18);

  No extra-curricular activities after school through December 8, starting November 18 and;

  Everything else the staff has been implementing and doing with facial coverings for all our students in preschool through eighth grade remain intact.