Grand Rapids Public Schools issued the following announcement on April 17.
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and are practicing social distancing in accordance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order. I want to thank you for your patience, understanding, and support over these last few weeks as we worked to finalize our state-mandated Continuity of Learning Plan, also known as our Distance Learning Plan.
It is important to acknowledge that distance learning cannot substitute daily in-person instructional programs. GRPS recognizes that schedules for planning and instruction need to be flexible enough to provide choice within both structured and independent time for students, families, and staff. We are particularly mindful of health and wellness issues, including the amount of screen-time that is developmentally appropriate for students in different grade levels.
We also recognize that no plan is perfect, and while we have researched best practices, this plan is a representation of what is best for the GRPS family at this time. We know there will need to be mid-course adjustments to further strengthen and improve our Continuity of Learning Plan.
GRPS will be using the G-Suite (Google) tools for Secondary Distance Learning (grades 6-12), specifically Google Classroom for all secondary sections and Google Hangouts/Meet for any video conferencing via staff and students’ existing students.grps.org Google accounts. This will provide students, teachers, and families with a safe, secure, and FERPA-compliant meeting space, and provide our students with the best possible end-user experience that is on the same platform from class to class.
Similarly, GRPS will be using Seesaw as the districtwide Learning Management System (LMS) for Elementary (PreK-5) Distance Learning. The district is in the process of creating staff and student accounts, so no action is needed by teachers or students at this time; teachers, parents, guardians, and students will be notified when this process is complete. PreK-5 teachers will also utilize Google Hangouts/Meet for video conferencing for the reasons outlined above.
The official start date for students to begin distance learning is scheduled for Monday, April 27. We are asking teachers to plan for a ‘soft launch’ of class with students on April 23 and 24 so everyone can get acclimated to the new learning system. Students, parents, and guardians should look for additional information from their school/teacher that will include specific details about the first day and moving forward.
The majority of our distance learning will be done online which requires students and staff to have the right technology and Internet accessibility. The preferred technology is iPads or tablets for students K-1st grade and Chromebooks for students 2nd through 12th grade. Laptops, desktops, and other similar computer devices work as well.
While survey results show the majority of our families have technology and reliable Internet, we know that many families do not. Families who do not have technology and/or reliable Internet will have an opportunity to borrow technology and/or wireless hotspots.
This week, we will be mailing information including a special code for each household and a link to sign up online or call the district hotline to schedule a date and time to pick up technology and/or Internet accessibility at one of four designated locations during the week of April 20 and the week of April 27.
I want to stress that this technology loan program is for families who do not already have technology and reliable Internet. For our families that do not currently have Internet accessibility, we also encourage you to take advantage of the 2 months of free Internet provided by Comcast and AT&T for eligible households. More information on these services can be found at www.GRPS.org/coronavirus. Click the tab that says Internet Resources.
Finally, just a reminder about our grab and go meal sites. The meal sites are available on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:30am to 12:30pm at City High Middle, Hope Academy, Ottawa Hills High School, San Juan Diego Academy, and Sibley Elementary.
We know there will be a lot of questions and need for technical support, academic and curricular support, and more. We have established a call center with bilingual support staff. If you have questions or need more information, please call our hotline at 616-301-1111 or email communications@grps.org.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding. This is new for all of us and we are in this together to do our best to support teaching, learning, and student success.
Original source can be found here.
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